Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) may not be as observable as the wreckage following a highway traffic accident, the heaps of debris after a bomb explosion or the ruined buildings as a result of a natural disaster, yet survivors of such traumatic events struggle to come to terms with what they have witnessed. They may suffer emotional turmoil and anxiety for years. PTSD may occur immediately after the event or many months later. The sufferer will relive the event over and over in his/her mind by dreaming or having unwanted flashbacks

Over time s/he may become emotionally withdrawn, have a sense of despair and hopelessness. Daily activities may prove difficult to accomplish. Interests and hobbies no longer provide enjoyment. Concentration becomes difficult, sleep disorders develop, and the sufferer may be over sensitive and irritable. There is extreme anxiety about the future.

Sufferers can develop ‘Survivor Guilt’ feeling guilty about having survived when others died. This leads to depression and anxiety. Many physical symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, sweating, difficulty breathing, dry mouth, pins and needles sensation in parts of the body can be attributed to the disorder. On an emotional / mental level agitation, sadness and anger has been recounted by sufferers. Not everyone who has lived through a disaster will experience PTSD – it very much depends on one's psychological make-up, the intensity of the trauma experienced, and the amount of support a person has following the event.

The traditional, allopathic method of treating PTSD is with anti-anxiety medications, or sedatives. Support groups and certain counseling approaches have also proved beneficial. Many sufferers of PTSD turn to illicit drugs or alcohol as a way to alleviate their symptoms. This causes its own problems as all drugs, whether recreational, legal or illegal, have dangerous or addictive side-effects. It is more beneficial to revisit the traumatic event through counselling and other support therapies than suppressing the symptoms through medication or living in denial. The latter approache will only worsen the situation.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD) Cases

Michael’s Story: “They’d Be Better Off Without Me.”

Michael was the driver in a car crash, killing his young son Ryan and seriously injuring two occupants of the other car. He still carries the grief of the event, but throws himself into his work where he feels valued. Only his wife Catherine is aware of the depression and guilt that has plagued him since the accident. What she doesn’t know, though, is that Michael thinks everyone would be better off without him and has thought  about taking his own life.

Note: Deep depression is a serious disorder. Should you suspect that a friend or family member is severely depressed, encourage them to seek the help and support of a trusted health professional as soon as possible.

A remedy that could help Michael is Aurum metallicum (Aur.). It is commonly used to treat the following symptoms:

Depression from grief, failure or shame. Deep depression. Joylessness. Suicidal depression – may think of jumping from a height, or driving into oncoming traffic. Often have strong religious convictions and desire for prayer or meditation. Imagine they have failed or neglected their duty. Thoughts of death are pleasant. Tendency to heart problems. Symptoms are worse at night, especially pains in the bones. Moaning or crying out in sleep.

Nancy: Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Nancy returned to Ireland having lost her home and beloved dog to an earthquake 6 years ago. She had always been an anxious person but the trauma of the disaster intensified this. She had difficulty sleeping and would walk aimlessly about the house thinking of what disaster the day would bring. She lived in fear of something happening to her family and of once again losing all she possessed. She also suffered with a burning pain in her stomach which woke her on many occasions. Her husband said she worried unnecessarily about her health, had become obsessed with cleaning the house and was overly critical of his attempts to help her in any way. Nancy explained how she just wanted everything to be ‘o.k’. Panic attacks intensified her distress. One on particular night her husband rushed her to hospital thinking she was having a heart attack or a stroke. Nancy experienced shortness of breath, pins and needles sensation in her hands and face, heart palpitations, felt faint and could not swallow. Since then, family and friends suggested she learn to relax, find a way to cope. Nancy felt like screaming at them all.

If only Nancy and her family had known about the homeopathic remedy Arsenicum Album ! It is a fantastic remedy for post-traumatic stress disorder when the following symptoms are present: Anxiety about what may happen to them or family members, is not easily reassured, Anxiety about health matters – real or imagined. Insecure, Fear of being alone. Restless, Fussy, irritable, fastidious. Symptoms worse between 12 midnight and 2am. Sleeplessness from anxiety. Chilliness. Physical complaints with burning pains – better for warmth.

After taking a single dose of , Arsenicum Album Nancys anxiety lessened. Follow-up doses resolved her symptoms further and Nancys became, carefree and happier than she had in many years.

Helens Story: Indifference and Apathy

Helen lived through an aggravated burglary. She had been watching TV with her husband and two children when two unknown men burst through the back door of the house waving firearms and screaming obscenities. Helens husband tried to stop them harming his family and in doing so he was knocked to the ground and had a gun pointed to his head. The terrified Helen pleaded with them not to harm her husband and immediately told them where their money and valuables were kept. When they left Helen collapsed in a heap on the floor. Six months later and in spite of victim support counselling Helen found it difficult to get  over the traumatic event. While initially traumatised and anxious, she became apathetic and indifferent, finding it almost impossible to get out of bed in the morning, dragging herself about and unable to do the most basic of chores. Many mornings she returned to her bed only rising when her children or husband were due home.  She loved her children dearly but found them emotionally exhausting becoming irritable and cranky with them. Her husband was concerned about his wife and the effect it was having on their marriage.

The impact of the burglary pushed Helen into what homoeopaths call a ‘Sepia state’.  The remedy Sepia (Sep.) can help when someone is:

Joyless and indifferent, even to loved ones. Drained of emotional and physical energy.  eventually everything becomes too much of an effort. Dread of being alone but also dislike of company. Cranky and irritable or silent and tearful. Dislikes being comforted. Craves chocolate and sour things such as lemons or vinegar. Feels energised by thunderstorms. Menstrual periods often painful or heavy.

Some Disaster Remedies Listed hereunder:

1. Aconite napellus (Acon.)

For: Panic, fear and shock. Hyperventilation. Anaphylaxis. Measles.

1. Apis mellifica (Apis.)

For: Bites and stings with swelling. Anaphylaxis.

1. Arnica Montana (Arn.)

For: Bruising and damage to soft tissues. Fractures.

1. Arsenicum album (Ars.)

For: Anxiety states. Burning pains better for warmth. Food poisoning. Fractures. Pain that is worse for the slightest movement and better keeping still or firm pressure. Amoebic dysentery. Influenza. Malaria. Measles, Yellow fever.

1. Bryonia (Bry.)

For: Fractures. Pain that is worse for the slightest movement and better keeping still or firm pressure.

1. Carbo vegetabilis (Carb-v.)

For:  Near-death states with gasping and flatulence. The ‘corpse-reviver’.

1. Calendula (Calen.)

For:  Superficial wounds, grazes and lacerated skin. Infected wounds.

1. Cantharis (Canth.)

For:  2nd to 3rd degree burns, including sunburn. Wasp stings.

1. China officinalis (Chin.)

For: Exhaustion following  loss of body fluids such as blood, sweat and diarrhea. Malaria.

1. Euphrasia (Euphr.)

For:  Irritated streaming eyes and nose. Effects of tear gas.

1. Hepar sulphuris (Hep.)

For: Infected and sensitive wounds with splinter-like sticking pains and cheesy odour. Slow healing of wounds.

1. Hypericum perforatum (Hyper.)

For: injuries to nerves and nerve rich areas such as finger tips and the spine. Lacerations and puncture wounds.

1. Lachesis muta (Lach.)

For: Dark red or blue –purple infected tissues . Gangrene. Tarantula bites.

1. Ledum palustre (Led.):

For: Puncture wounds. Sprained and twisted joints. Bites and stings. Lyme disease.

1. Pyrogenium (Pyrog.)

For: Offensive wounds with foul smelling discharges. High fevers from infections. Restless exhaustion and offensive discharges. Prevention of infection following wounds or childbirth.

1. Ruta graveolens (Ruta.):

For tendon or periosteum injuries. Sprains and strains.

1. Silicea (Sil.):

Abscesses that drain but won’t heal. Embedded foreign bodies.

1. Staphysagria (Staph.)

For: Cuts and incisions. Violation and rape.

1. Symphytum officinale (Symph.)

For: Fractures.  Punctured or ruptured eyeball.

1. X-ray

For: Prevention of chromosomal damage from radiation exposure. Treatment of radiation burns and poisoning.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A lot of healthy people can identify with having some of the symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), such as checking the doors are locked several times before leaving the house or frequent washing of hands fearing contamination by objects touched, impulsive thoughts, obsession with having things in a certain order, counting or repeating words silently to oneself. Performing such rituals (compulsions) is carried out to prevent unwanted thoughts (obsession). The obsessions and compulsions can significantly interfere with a person’s ability to function and may consume a great deal of their time.

OCD can start at any time from preschool age to adulthood. Many adults with OCD report that it started during childhood. This disorder can be genetic or runs in families and research suggests that genes do play a role in the development of the disorder. When a parent has OCD, there is a increased risk that a child will develop OCD too. It is the general nature (e.g. Anxiety) of OCD that seems to be inherited, not specific symptoms. Thus a child may have a counting ritual, while his mother washes compulsively.

While treating OCD the homeopath will dig deep into the patients psyche to get a better understanding of what may be causing this psychological disorder. S/he will observe how it relates to the patients physical, mental and emotional state (Homeopathy treats the person as a whole). A suitable remedy is then selected after a full individualizing examination and case analysis.

Homeopathic Remedies for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Arsenicum Album: A Homeopathic remedy for persistent thoughts of death accompanied by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Arsenicum Album is the top natural Homeopathic medicine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with persistent thoughts of approaching death. Arsenicum Album is of great help for patients of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder who are hypochondriacal, restless, anxious. Such patients need people around them and cannot remain alone because they feel worse when alone. Conscience, as if a crime had been committed. The patient is inconsolable with complaints and lamentation. They fear solitude, specters, and robbers, with desire to hide oneself. Indecision and Changeable humour, which demands this at one time, that at another, and rejects everything after having obtained it. Despair, he finds no rest, especially at night, with anguish. Despondency, weariness of life, inclination to suicide, Too great sensibility and scrupulousness of conscience, with gloomy ideas, as if one had offended all the world. Depression, melancholy, despairing, indifferent.

Argentum Nitricum: A Homeopathic remedy for impulsive thoughts in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Argentum Nitricum is the best natural Homeopathic medicine for treating patients of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder who have persistent impulsive thoughts. These impulsive thoughts can have different symptom presentations for example one might be travelling on a ship and there is a persistent impulsive thought to jump into the water; while crossing a bridge over a train line, there may be a thought to jump on to the line, or, when standing on top of a high buildings, there is the horrific thought of jumping down. Another marked feature for recommending Argentum Nitricum for patients of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is that the impulsive thoughts make the patient very restless and anxious. This results in constant walking to get rid of such impulsive thoughts and the person walks till they are weak and exhausted.

Calcarea Carbonica A Homeopathic remedy for persistent thought of going mad or insane.
Calcarea Carbonica is a Homeopathic remedy for patients of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder who are mentally exhausted and constantly think of going mad or insane. This thought of going mad prevails in the patient’s mind day and night and he or she is unable to put it aside even during sleep. This fear of going mad leads to great distress and to overcome it, the patient leaves all pending work aside and keeps himself or herself busy in breaking sticks or bending pins.

Natrum Muriaticum A Homeopathic remedy for compulsion to check locked doors repeatedly
Natrum Muriaticum is the best natural Homeopathic remedy for those patients of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder who are obsessed with the idea that thieves may strike and repeatedly check the locks of doors. The obsession is so persistent that the patient even has dreams of thieves in the house and wakes up to check the doors again and again.

Syphilinum and Medorrhinum Homeopathic remedies for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with compulsion to wash hands.
Syphilinum and Medorrhinum are very good natural Homeopathic remedies for patients of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder who feel the compulsion to wash their hands again and again due to the persistent thought of getting their hands contaminated or dirty by touching any object. Such patients feel that germs are present on each and every object and get into the habit of washing hands at very short intervals, without giving any consideration to other important work in their lives.

Silicea A Homeopathic remedy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with thoughts of pins
Silicea is the ideal l Homeopathic remedy for patients of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder who have the persistent thought of pins and fearing pins, look for, collect and even count pins again and again.

Homeopathic remedies for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with persistent religious thoughts.
Natural Homeopathic medicines Stramonium and Pulsatilla are equally good in tackling the persistent religious thoughts in patients of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder where the patient constantly thinks about religion, reads holy books all the time and is almost always praying.

Homeopathic remedies for Obsessive Compulsory Disorder with tendency to put everything in order
Nux Vomica are oversensitive and of a careful and angry nature. They demand things to be done as they want and get angry if the order is not followed.
Arsenicum Album is of great benefit for those patients of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder who are very conscious about the order of things and cannot rest if the things are not in their proper place. This compulsion can be so strong that even if a painting hanging on the wall is slightly tilted, the mind does not rest until it is properly placed. Such patients also demand neatness in clothing.

Carcinosinum is a remedy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder patients who are very concerned about cleanliness and want a specific pattern to be followed not only in placing things, but also in their dressing style. For instance, they always like colour’s to match when dressing up and also when decorating a room. They demand perfection in everything they do.

Case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Patient T aged 28)

When I first met T she was suffering with severe anxiety and a hypochondriac. She would ponder all the possible illnesses she had on a daily basis. As a young girl she was always depressed and anxious. Once in 4th class her teacher had scolded her in front of other pupils for having a stain on her uniform. Since then she tried to be clean and tidy about everything. If she thought things were unclean and untidy she would get into a state of anxiety that resulted in terrible headaches. T also suffered with severe anxiety about her loved ones. It caused her to feel exhausted and confused. Washing her hands 4 -5 times before eating became a very regular occurrence.

She always felt neglected by her parents. Her father was quite strict and shouted at her a lot. Her parents were very religious and expected her to go to church regularly. She was fearful of her father as he would make a scene if things were not done as he wished and in a certain manner. To avoid conflict of any kind she remained quiet, did not express her opinions and certainly did not wish to draw attention to herself.

T’s younger sister was popular, academic and quick witted. Her parents compared them on a regular basis and this made T nervy and anxious. As a teenager T got involved in the wrong company. They captivated her and lured her into selling drugs and making a lot of money. Her new friends loved to party and lived life in the fast lane. T felt lost, isolated and confused and had little understanding of their way of life. During this phase she was sexually abused by an older man while staying with a friend for the weekend.

A discernible feeling of inferiority developed along with fear of death and ghosts. T found it difficult to mix with people and became painfully shy. She believed that food and drink prepared by others was contaminated. She failed her final college exams as she found it hard to concentrate or understand the exam questions.

A full individualizing examination and case analysis was done and the patient was prescribed Calc Carb 200c. T was seen again after 4 weeks and she reported feeling much less anxious and her headaches had disappeared. Calc Carb 200c was repeated and she returned 6 weeks later and reported feeling much more positive and less worried about illness and contamination. Again
Calc Carb 200c was prescribed with a follow up appointment for 6 weeks. When T returned she explained how she was much less worried about the welfare of her family and loved ones. She did not was her hands repeatedly as she had been compelled to do before. She started a new office job, made some lovely new friends and was happy. T continues to check in with me on a regular basis and I treat her for other minor, acute ailments but thankfully I have to date not to prescribe for OCD

Back to School Anxiety

The new school year is upon us and going back to school can be really upsetting for many children especially if they are starting at a new school, or beginning school for the first time. Their main concerns include how will I perform when asked a question, what if I make a mistake, how will my teacher react, will I make friends or be disappointed? Between facing new teachers, new friends, new classrooms, schedules and leaving fun filled summer days behind is it any wonder the transition can be upsetting. I have successfully treated children (and parents) when nerves are restless, senses heightened and emotions in turmoil. Homeopathy is safe, non toxic, non addictive, non invasive and helps children do and feels their best through all the mental, emotional and physical challenges of school. Let me share with you some self help information and homeopathic remedies that provide back-to-school support.

· Firstly let your child know that it is perfectly normal to feel worried about starting something new but once they give school a chance they will get used to it and feel better in no time at all.
· Younger children may find it difficult to articulate their worries, whilst older teenagers may just not consider it “cool” to communicate their worries. Just letting them know you are there to talk should they want to, is generally enough.
· Reflect back your observations “I can see you are feeling really nervous / anxious”; or for older kids: “I noticed you looked anxious when we were talking about school today….is there anything in particular you were worried about?”

Homeopathy provides effective remedies for back to school anxiety and they are also assist with other types of anxiety such as a trip to the dentist, or nerves before making a presentation, sitting an exam or test performance. Homeopathic medicines should be available in your local health shop, pharmacy or online. Read the descriptions for each remedy below and choose the one most appropriate for your child. Give the homeopathic medicine 3 times a day for up to 14 days. If symptoms disappear before the 14th day discontinue the remedy. If symptoms continue it would be advisable to seek the help of a qualified Homeopath who has a better knowledge of remedies, potencies and the frequency for repeating the remedy etc.

Aconite 30: Give this medicine to a child who is extremely fearful and restless. They cannot sit still and may actually have a scared expression. This is also the main acute Homeopathic medicines for panic style attacks with a beating heart, sensation of not being able to get enough air, and feeling faint.

Argentum Nitricum 30: Give this remedy to a child who suffers with anticipatory anxiety and feels very nervous. They are likely to have diarrhea and flatulence with their anxiety.

Arsenicum album30: Give this Homeopathic remedy if your child is very restless and insecure with their anxiety. They may show a degree of exhaustion but you know this tiredness has an emotional basis and is linked to anxiety.

Calc Phos 30: Give this remedy when your child is reluctant to go to school. They may have headaches and/or tummy aches that prevent them from going. They may deny there is anything wrong at school but they have the convenient ‘illness’ that allows them to stay at home.

Gelsemium 30: A great general anticipatory anxiety remedy for anxiety before an event such as a first day, exam, or performance. Child feels cowardly and weak. They feel the task ahead of them is too much. (If in doubt and your child’s anticipatory anxiety symptoms are hard to define, try Gelsemium first before other homeopathic medicines.)

Lycopodium 30: Give this medicine when your child is fearful that they will fail and look foolish or incompetent in front of others. They are likely to cover this anxiety up with an overly confident manner but they don’t feel confident. Often these types will ‘perform’ very well each time but still have the preceding anxiety.

Case of Child with Separation Anxiety
A 5 year old, boy, D had just started school. Within the first week he had difficulty sleeping at night. When he did fall asleep he awoke with night terrors and it would take two hours at least before he could fall back to sleep.

When getting ready for school D would complain of tummy ache or headache and insisted his mother travel on the school bus with him. If she refused to go with him he would throw a tantrum.

His teacher reported how D had to use the toilet very often has he complained of loose stools. She also observed him become anxious and breathless for no apparent reason. When she would enquire if all was o.k.? D would become restless and was unable to sit at his desk preferring to pace about the room.

While taking the case I learnt that D’s mother had been hospitalised for a minor procedure during the summer holidays. This event appeared to have traumatised D more than anyone realised.
I prescribed the Homeopathic remedy Arsenic album 200c. D visited me every four weeks for 6 months. On each follow up the same remedy picture and potency was indicated. On each visit D’s symptoms of anxiety lessened. There was a brief recurrence of anxiety a year later, but D’s coping skills were effective at dealing with the problem. Homeopathy made his anxiety attacks more manageable and shorter in duration until finally the anxiety disappeared completely. D’s self esteem strengthened and there was a positive outcome. The case reinforced for me the wondrous results that can be achieved with Homeopathy.

When children are upset and anxious it is easy for parents to worry also. They too can be helped with Homeopathy. Thankfully this starting school transition is usually short lived. A child’s ability to deal with the newness of school will give him/her tools to deal with bigger more demanding events in their lives. When a child has to deal with difficult situations it teaches them how to cope and grow into adults that can cope with adversity. Love and understanding is a prerequisite when helping an anxious child along with a correctly matched homeopathic remedy.

Homeopathy can dissolve Anxiety

Based on principles known and used since the time of Hippocrates in ancient Greece, homeopathy, as we know it, was instigated by a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann (1755 -1843) and has since spread worldwide. It is a safe and effective form of natural medicine that offers a real alternative to those looking for a more natural approach to wellness and healing. Over the last two hundred years, homeopathy has proved itself to be a powerful, effective, holistic tool in treating the physical, mental and emotional symptoms of Anxiety.  

As a classically trained homeopath I recognise that symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks, digestive problems, sleep disturbance, muscle tension, compulsive behaviour, depression, are merely expressions of an underlying imbalance in the patient's energy. All the symptoms the patient presents with — physical, emotional, mental, even spiritual symptoms are seen as an expression of this imbalance. Rather than controlling or suppressing these symptoms, I treat them collectively with an appropriate remedy.

Homeopathic remedies are selected, and prescribed in minute doses to stimulate the patient's energies and thereby resolve the underlying imbalance. By treating symptoms in this manner, patients will experience a return to health that is gentle and without any of the possible complications or dangers of allopathic medical treatment.

Despite being used in many other countries homeopathy, as a profession, is still relatively new to Ireland. The study of homeopathy is arduous. Professional training takes a minimum of five years study followed by internship / supervision before the student can become a registered practitioner. To get the best quality homeopathic treatment, it is important to ensure that the practitioner is appropriately qualified as many medical practitioners in Ireland, both allopathic and alternative, use homeopathic remedies with their patients, without the rigour of such training.       

Case History (1)

Mary a single woman in her late fifties, presented for treatment as she was suffering with anxiety. Her symptoms included restlessness, depression, disturbed sleep, terrifying panic attacks and a great need for order and cleanliness. She had severe abdominal cramps accompanied with diarrhoea, her heart palpitated and her limbs felt weak and trembled. Her G.P. had prescribed medication to deal with her panic attacks and depression. She drank at least a half bottle of wine most nights to deal with her insomnia. She had given up her professional career 5 years ago to look after her husband who had suffered a stroke leaving him severely paralysed and unable to think coherently.

While Mary was preparing dinner one evening her husband attempted to get out of his bed in the next room. It resulted in a serious fall, and a broken hip. Mary felt overwhelmed and collapsed mentally, physically and emotionally. Her other symptoms started soon after.

I treated Mary with the remedy Arsenicum Album, a remedy often required by those experiencing intense anxiety, arising from a deep sense of insecurity and inability to adapt to life's changes. The treatment lasted six months, at the end of which Mary had come off all her conventional medication. Her abdominal cramps and diarrhoea disappeared; she slept well which resulted in high energy and a newfound zest for life. She was free of panic attacks; and drank wine only when out to dinner with friends and family. Instead of feeling depressed about life’s circumstances she makes the most of each day with her husband and is enthusiastic about what the future may hold for her.

            Case History (2) 

Harry 59 ran a plant hire business. He described himself as "very successful” Despite all the evident trappings of success, sun holidays twice a year, top of the range car, expensive clothes, jewellery and an exclusive address, he was deeply unhappy, anxious and suicidal. He got no pleasure from life and the only thing that had kept him from suicide was the deep sense of responsibility he felt for the wife and widowed mother he would leave behind. What would happen to them when he was gone?

He worked from age 16 years and had always been driven to succeed, to work hard and make a lot of money.  But having achieved all this he now found it meaningless as he did not have family to pass it on to. Suffering a minor stroke resulted in vascular surgery. He suffered from regular angina attacks, had elevated cholesterol levels and dangerously high blood pressure, Harry gave up hope of ever getting well and felt that a heart attack was looming. He told nobody of his condition. This was his responsibility alone. His illness made him feel unable to work to his full potential and he felt a failure. He was consumed with worry and guilt. Who would look after his many employees and his family?

I started Harry on daily doses of Aurum metallicum, (metallic gold). It has the ability to bring people out of deep, dark, hopeless, often suicidal depression. It also treats a wide range of serious heart disorders. Patients needing this remedy often experience life as an encumbrance and they alone must carry the burden.

During his treatment, Harry recognised that his depression stemmed back to the death of his young son and he went through and intense period of grief. Instead of grieving when he should have he threw himself into his work and buried all the pain of his loss. This newfound awareness instigated a process whereby Harry decided to take early retirement from his job, much to the delight of his wife. He felt life was on the up and up. His cardiologist was very pleased with a  check up some weeks later and reduced  his medication.

Work Stress

Work stress in general has been linked with health issues such as depression, weight gain or loss, poor sleep, lack of concentration and drug and alcohol abuse. Work stress also takes its toll on family life and other relationships. Studies related to work stress show that there are a number of physical and mental effects unique to this type of stress for example: - Your boss criticises you for a bad presentation — you break out into a sweat. A demanding work colleague insists on socialising after a busy day — your head pounds. Gossip is doing the rounds about possible layoffs at work — you can’t sleep. An unexpected bill was paid and you can’t provide a receipt for accounts section — you feel nauseas. Why do we react this way?

In times past, the greater part of stressors facing us humans on a daily basis were physical. Dinosaurs, lions, tigers and bears shared or surroundings. One was constantly on high alert. You had two choices, stay and fight the beast or run like hell away. Contrary to what we humans think about our survival skills research indicates that we are not particularly impressive physical creatures at all. Many animals can out run us, out smell us, out see us, and out hear us. How are we still in existence? Well one valuable trait we humans have is our ability to respond effectively to threats. Our “fight or flight response could always be relied on.

When stressed be it as a result of fighting of a bear, outrunning a tiger or dealing with a horrendous boss the sympathetic nervous system takes control of the body, which then triggers the fight or flight response. Once our bodies identify a threat (animal or boss!), we prepare to defend ourselves or flee. Muscles tense up, the heart starts beating faster and blood flows away from any non-essential body system. The problem, though, is that while in by gone days our stressors were primarily physical, today the greater part of our stress is psychological — work, family, finances, and the like. Yet our bodies still respond as thought we are in physical danger. So when your boss yells, your body reacts with “Ahhhh grizzly bear.” It’s like our bodies have yet to catch up to a new, less primitive way of dealing with modern stressors.

When constantly and severely stressed, the amygdale (a sensor at the base of the brain for vetting every input for possible threats) can become overly sensitive and hyper-vigilant, making even relatively harmless events (such as your boss’s raised voice) seem like a threat. We can become instinctively snappy and over-react when we are feeling strung out. When the body is constantly stressed, we deplete our physical, mental and emotional resources, which can, over time, have a detrimental effect on us. As a homeopath I have come to understand that there are many situations which individuals can find stressful, and many ways in which people experience stress. For some it’s a feeling of anxiety, a kind of nervousness. For others, it’s primarily a kind of agitation. Yet for others it’s a feeling of not being able to cope. Individuals have quite different interpretations of the word “stress” and experience individual emotions and inner feelings when stressed. The situations, the sensitivities and the particulars of the individual's’ symptom patterns are the key to finding the best remedy for someone.

Realistically we can’t, and shouldn’t, remove stress from our lives, but we should strive to ensure that our whole being is working optimally so that we can cope well, become resilient and confident then, stress can be a useful tool rather than a limiting, distressing phenomenon. A well chosen homeopathic remedy can help to achieve this goal. As always, the homeopathic approach recognises that there is no single remedy for stress. The most appropriate remedy will be the one which best matches the individual’s experience and characteristics of stress. With this in mind I’d like to describe for you some of the leading characteristics of some commonly indicated remedies for those who are experiencing work stress, partly so you can see the diversity of patterns, and partly because you might identify with one or two which could be useful for you, yourself.

Argentum nitricum
The pattern of Argentum nitricum is predominantly focused on the bowels and the limbs. This is a common state. The bowel becomes noisy with loud gurgling and this over activity can reach the outside world as diarrhoea. The anxious, stressed exam candidate who has to keep dashing to the loo is a typical example. But it’s not just the bowels which become overactive. This poor soul becomes tremulous developing both a fine tremor of the hands and shaky legs. You can imagine how difficult this is if you are a musician about to perform in a major concert! They feel flushed and overheated, crave something sweet or sugary, which can easily make them feel sick.

Gelsemium
This is the classic stage fright remedy. There’s a theme of paralysis running through all its main features. It’s the pattern where the main focus is not so much the bowel but more the head and the limbs. The legs feel heavy and shaky, and there’s a foggy, dull feeling in the head. It can feel quite like certain kinds of flu. When about to get up on stage they find their legs just won’t take them, or they get onto stage and find that their voice has disappeared and they’re unable to talk or sing. Most professional performers who have these symptoms find that once they actually get going, once they begin to act or sing, then the symptoms disappear and they actually perform very well. In fact, that’s also the case with Argentum nitricum, where if they can get beyond the stressful symptoms, many of these people can deliver excellent performances.

Arsenicum album
The patient who responds well to Arsenicum album, for example, is usually quite an anxious, nervous type of person, someone who is very fastidious and punctilious. In fact, these are people who always arrive in plenty of time for an appointment because they absolutely cannot stand to be late. Time pressure can be a major source of stress.

Bryonia
 The main focus for the Bryonia patient is stress about their business or about money. These are people who are hard workers and whose work provides them with the money they need to live their lives. It’s not that they are necessarily ambitious or competitive. It’s more that they have a deep insecurity about not having enough money, a real fear of poverty. When such a person faces uncertainty at work, then their stress levels can go through the roof. The stress manifests itself most typically as physical pain or stiffness.

Calcarea carbonica
This is another common work focused remedy. People who need this remedy are good steady workers but they get especially concerned about being observed or stressed by being hurried towards a deadline of some sort. You can imagine that in difficult economic times, as employees come under increasing pressure to do more in less time, that the Calcarea carbonica patient will become very stressed. Another common feature of employment these days is appraisal. More and more, employees are being subjected to demands to demonstrate their work skills and performance. If you are a typical Calcarea carbonica type, then you’ll find the annual appraisal round an especially stressful event.

Staphysagria
Other patterns are revealed by the kind of issues to which a person is sensitive. Unfairness, or injustice, is one such common issue. The Staphysagria patient, for example, will probably have experienced something which they feel has been unjust or unfair. “It’s just not fair!” is a common remark they’ll make. This is common in either school or at work where someone is being bullied. A remedy, of course, will not change a bully’s behaviour, but if it enables the bullied person to feel stronger and less vulnerable, then they often find that they cease to be the target of the bully.