In this article: Homeopath and anxiety specialist Katie Biggs talks about why Homeopathy can be a good treatment option for common mental health illnesses such as anxiety, depression, etc.
The recent decades mark a significant improvement in mental health awareness among people. The stigma is slowly withering away, and the affected seek help from experts. And, what better time than now to talk about mental health because, unsurprisingly, statistics show that this pandemic sees a spike in mental health issues such as depression and anxiety due to lockdowns and uncertainty.
Theodore Joloza, Principal Research Officer, Office for National Statistics
“While the number of GP-diagnosed cases of adult depression has fallen during the pandemic, these cases make up a larger percentage of overall diagnoses than pre-pandemic. Meanwhile, self-reported feelings associated with depression continue to increase. The picture is one of a rising toll on mental health, with many people not necessarily accessing medical help.”
Importance of treating mental health without adverse effects
We all have brains, so we all have mental health; Some to a good extent and some a little less that might cause discomfort or severe problems. In doctors’ clinics up and down the country, there are people seeking answers for questions they are yet to figure out.
Am I not well? What is wrong with me? What caused this? Will it go away? Do I need medication? What will medication do to me? How do I feel? And so on.
More worrying are the trends in children! Increased numbers of parents queue up in pediatric clinics with children showing strange nonspecific symptoms of nausea, stomach pain, poor sleep, and anxiety. The percentage of children affected by depression and anxiety is on the rise.
Some families are fortunate enough to access good mental health therapies such as CBT or counselling; but, some don’t fill the criteria. And, some patients are prescribed Beta-blockers or SSRIs, which can have multiple debilitating effects. On the other hand, homeopathic remedies are free from side effects and are safe.
How does Homeopathy work, and can it help you?
Homeopathy uses natural remedies in ultra-dilutions to correct an imbalance in the body by gently nudging the light to switch on to the problem at hand and stimulate the body to heal itself gently. It sounds a bit bonkers, but it’s steeped in real science and the use of the theory of “like treats like.”
In other words, we find a remedy that would produce noticeable symptoms if given in large enough amounts and then give it in minuscule energetic amounts at a cellular level to produce therapeutic results.
There are thousands of remedies to choose from (last count over 8000), which is one reason why choosing a reputable homeopath is beyond helpful if you don’t know where to start.
What makes Homeopathy special?
Patients seeking help from a homeopath have often been down the conventional routes and found them impossible to maintain due to side effects. Also, we often find that mental problems can stem back to childhood or even maternal traumas.
Transgenerational Epigenetics of Traumatic Stress. Ali Jawaid, Martin Roszkowski, Isabelle M Mansuy
“Many of the effects of traumatic stress can be transmitted to subsequent generations even when individuals from these generations are not exposed to any traumatic stressor.”
In essence, a mother or father could endure abuse, and the pattern of trauma could imprint upon her DNA which could transmit to her child. The child may then suffer from recurrent night terrors or unexplained anxiety from this historical trauma imprinting upon their genetic makeup. Homeopathy has shown repeatedly in practice that it can help alleviate the effects of these aetiologies in a way that pharmaceuticals cannot.
Can homeopathy treat mental health problems?
Yes, it does. There are several remedies to apply to mental illnesses. But for interests’ sake and to explain the process, here are two homeopathy remedies we may use for mental health problems.
1. Gelsemium Sempervirens (Yellow Jasmine)
A plant remedy whose action centres around the nervous system. Symptoms can include,
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Trembling/nervous chills
- Slow, tired, numb
- Wants to be alone
- Fear or excitement leading to physical symptoms such as diarrhoea
- Slow pulse with palpitations
- Insomnia from exhaustion
- Feeling better in the open air
- Feeling worse thinking about the problem and strong emotions
2. Argentum Nitricum (Nitrate of silver)
This remedy treats symptoms that occur due to excessive mental exertion. Typical symptoms include,
- loss of control/imbalance
- loss of coordination
- trembling is a feature
- explosive belching
- fearful and nervous
- impulses to jump and hurt themselves
- headache or migraine with a sensation of expansion or enlargement in the head
- inability to walk with the eyes closed
These are just two of over 8000 remedies with the potential to match your personal and individualised symptoms.
What to expect during a session?
You will see a Homeopath face to face normally, but a virtual appointment is now acceptable in these trying times. The first appointment usually is an hour-long at least and will involve detailing your symptoms/presenting complaint.
The homeopath will delve into the symptoms and want to know when it happens, what triggers it, what makes the symptom worse or better (it’s helpful to spend a week before your appointment thinking about this and making some notes). Then, depending on the case (everyone is different), the Homeopath will ask about your life generally, your likes, dislikes, what makes you happy/sad/angry.
Further, the Homeopath considers your basic constitution; are you a hot or chilly person, thirsty or not and many more general enquiries into what makes you tick as a person.
After this consultation, you will receive a prescription from a Homeopathic pharmacy (Ainsworths and Helios are the two most widely used in the UK). Some homeopaths dispense in sachets, and some give small pills. You may be asked to take a remedy daily or given a course for a few days to 2 weeks long and then a gap.
Further, a follow up will be arranged where you will reflect and report changes back to the homeopath.
How long does a treatment last?
Mental Health issues are rarely a quick fix like flu or tonsilitis acute case would be. So be prepared to give some time to the process and be open to working with the homeopath to go deeper into your symptoms. Being as honest and open as possible without holding back will help the homeopath to find that special remedy for you.
If you want to educate yourself about Homeopathy and the treatment possibilities, what is a good place to start with?
To get started on the Homeopathic path, you could start with buying the book ‘Tissue salts for healthy living‘ by Margaret Roberts. It is a great place to begin your journey into this wonderful art of home first aid.
Tissue salts are 12 minerals commonly found within the body and which may be depleted, causing symptoms.
One such salt is Kalium Phosphoricum, a constituent of nerve cells and our go-to tissue remedy for nervous stress. Weakness, fatigue, and irritability are hallmark symptoms of a Kali Phos depletion.
Tissue salts work on a more primary surface level and won’t necessarily fix any deeper issues but are a good place to start for a novice student of Homeopathy.
Can you self-treat?
No. Though there are several texts on Homeopathy treatments, I would advise against self-treatment without a formal education. Instead, consulting with an expert is ideal and would give relief from your problems.
To conclude,
Homeopathy can help in many mental health cases; I have seen complete recovery from suicidal depression, Post-natal depression, and severe anxiety in my homeopathy practice. My passion for homeopathy came initially from treating my children for repeated infections successfully. But, the light was significantly turned on for me during personal trauma, where physical symptoms became a reality due to psychological shock. The potential of this therapy is enormous and life-changing.
So, don’t delay in seeking homeopathic help. You won’t regret the journey.
Disclaimer: Homeopathic medicines mentioned in the article are for informational purposes only. Dosages are important. Please do not use them without a Homeopathic expert’s prescription.
Edited by love4wellness | Images credit: canva.com & Katie Biggs
