Trauma following the Forest fire infernos

Tags

CAM, Forest fires, homeopathy, PTSD, trauma

 

In the wake of the recent forest fires, the devastating losses and destruction, the after-math leaves more than burnt soil to clear away. While many have lost loved ones, their existence or homes in the recent infernos, many of the survivors, helpers and fire fighters may now, as a consequence to their experiences of the traumatic events, exhibit symptoms related to PTSD.

 

PTSD, post-traumatic-stress-disorder, is the label that has been given to the symptom complex that may evolve from the exposure to, and experiences of a terrorist attack, active warfare, natural catastrophe, accident, or other events that may leave an individual severely traumatized.

 

 

Sufferers of such a trauma syndrome will exhibit characteristic symptoms of anxiety, overwhelming states of worry, fear, panic, phobia, compulsion, or depression. These may be expressed in the form of sleeplessness, nightmares, distressing recollection of experiences, irritation, increased anger, difficulty concentrating, emotional numbing, and retreating from social circles and family. Sufferers may become pessimistic about life, their future, may be disinterested in their environment, and may become aggressive and self-destructive. These symptoms may be as dilapidating that they may leave an individual unable to lead a normal life. Many people cannot return to, or take up a normal job, cannot live harmoniously with their loved ones, and find the day to day proceedings unbearable and unmanageable. Not infrequently is it that sufferers resort to addictive behavior and detach from their families.

 

Initially recognized in Vietnam -War – veterans, PTSD was only acknowledged and classified by the American Psychiatric Association as a mental disorder in 1980. However, the symptom complex of post-traumatic stress syndrome existed much earlier.

 

When the era of trains began and passenger transportation was taken to the rails, this innovative form of travel brought forth a new type of anxiety disorder. Travel by train was louder and faster than all prior forms of transportation, and passengers reaction to the noise, motion and accidents gave rise to a symptom complex soon denoted as the ‘Railway spine’. The sufferers however, where not the physically injured, but were eyewitnesses or unharmed victims of carriage collisions, complaining of physical symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, disturbed sleep, memory impairment, lack of the ability to concentrate, weakness, numbness and even physical pain along their limbs and spine, stiffness, headaches and neuralgia.

 

Likewise, soldiers of war complained of a very similar symptom complex that doctors described as ‘Soldier’s heart’. Civilians, having experienced and survived the World Wars were referred to as suffering of ‘Shell shock’. In today’s day and time the prevalence of this characteristic symptom complex has nowhere diminished. The symptomatology can be seen in victims of car accidents that are suffering of what is denoted as ‘whiplash’. Victims and witnesses of terror attacks and combat personnel of the wars of more recent times, and individuals that have survived and experienced natural catastrophes such as earthquakes or forest fires have shown forms of this specific cluster of similar symptoms that are part of the complex known today as ‘Post-traumatic-stress-disorder’.

 

The treatment for PTSD, as postulated by the conventional medical sphere, sees the use of medicinal and psychoanalytical approaches assisting individuals at alleviating their suffering and managing the syndrome. The use of CAM, complementary and alternative medicine, sees increasing numbers of patients successfully treated for their symptoms by meditation, relaxation, exercise therapy, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), herbal medicine, homeopathy medicine and others.

 

The CAM therapies are holistic therapeutic approaches that take into consideration the totality of an individual. Physical, mental and emotional aspects find inclusion in the analysis of a patient and his or her suffering. CAM approaches aim to achieve amelioration and recovery of the patients’ state on all levels, the mental, the physical and the emotional. Hence treating the patient in his or her entirety, as a whole.

 

The recent wild fires have caused havoc to the lives of many, and have done irreparable damage. Those suffering of symptoms related to PTSD in the aftermath of these tragic and traumatic events should get help. Sufferers can be relieved of their dilapidating symptoms that impact not only the individual, but his or her family and closest environment. A recovery, to a lifestyle that is manageable can be attained. Sufferers should not suffer alone. There is help, and it should be sought!

 

 

 

First published at: Gentle Help for PTSD

To take note and remember: Bellis perennis and the Railway spine – an extraordinary prescription for PTSD

Tags

Bellis perennis, Clever Homeopathy, homeopathy, PTSD, Railway Spine, trauma, Whiplash

 

 

When trains were initially introduced as means of travel and transportation this innovative creation gave rise to much excitement, critique and a new type of fear disorder. A new era began. Travel became different, louder, faster, and the numbers of people transported with just one trip could be increased drastically. This was different to all that had been there before, and much was that new that effects and consequences could not be foreseen or estimated.

 

Passengers’ reaction to the noise of the steam engine, the motion of carriages, jolts of starting and breaking to a halt, and the accidents that occurred could developed into a disorder that was soon termed the ‘Railway Spine’. Collision accidents aside of fatalities and physically injured, generated patients that expressed a specific symptom complex. These eyewitnesses and victims could feel physically weakened, with numbness and pain spreading across their limbs. They could complain of spinal pain and stiffness, headaches and neuralgia.  They could be anxious and irritable, could suffer of disturbed sleep, memory impairment and lack the ability to concentrate.

 

While this disorder was very common at the time, today, it plays little to no role as a health disorder. Trains have become safer and travel much more comfortable. However, the symptom complex described has remained one prevalent today. It can be seen in car accidents, in what is termed ‘whiplash’, in victims of terror attacks, and in traumata of army service personnel that were engaged in warfare. The specific cluster of similar symptoms expressed in such traumatic and anxiety disorders has been labeled ‘Post-traumatic-stress-disorder’.

 

In an exchange with John Benneth (Thank you!) on my Blog-post ‘Must have … Bellis perennis’, I was pointed to the possible connection of PTSD to Bellis Perennis on account of its description for the ‘Railway Spine’ by J.H. Clarke in his ‘Dictionary of practical Materia Medica’.

 

According to Clarke, Bellis perennis is a remedy closely matching the clinical symptomatology of ‘Railway Spine’, strongly recommending it for use in disorders of PTSD. However, the Materia Medica of Bellis perennis otherwise demonstrates little to no specification for related symptoms in the proving details, and no other Materia Medica sources were found supporting this finding. Furthermore, having investigated remedies for the treatment of PTSD I have found no reference to Bellis perennis for the use in such trauma disorders.

 

None-the-less such finds are pearls of homeopathic wisdom that should be noted for later reference. One never knows if not in the future a patient stepping into our practice or clinic may need a prescription of exactly this remedy for his or her presenting state of health.

 

 

 

 

References:

Express Medicals Ltd. (2017) Railway Spine: a medical condition extinct or evolved. Personal contact.

 

Purtle, J. (2017) Railway spine? Soldier’s heart? Try PTSD, Available at: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/public_health/Railway-spine-Soldiers-heart-Try-PTSD.html (Accessed: October 2017).

 

Clarke, J. (1994) A Dictionary of practical materia medica New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.

Some homeopathic remedies for Anxiety, Trauma and Fear

Tags

anxiety, Clever Homeopathy, Fear, fright, grief, homeopathy, trauma, worry

 

Anxiety, aside of the occasional state of anxiousness that everyone can experience ever now and then, can be a serious state of health. Termed ‘Anxiety disorder’, a number of mental conditions define the distress that prevents people from living a normal life. Characteristic for this anxiety syndrome are persistent, overwhelming states of worry and fear. These phases can be disabling, and may appear unmanageable. Panic, phobias, compulsion, and depression may combine, leaving the individual unable to lead a normal life.

 

Homeopathy with its holistic approach to healthcare can provide means to alleviate of the symptoms, and can assist the recovery from an anxiety disorder.

 

Some homeopathic remedies and their anxiety profile:

 

Aconitum:

This is a remedy that treats great fear and anxiety that comes suddenly. The individual has premonitions and fears the future. There is a tendency to start accompanied by physical and mental restlessness and anguish.

 

Gelsemium:

This is a remedy for the bad effects of fright, fear or emotional excitement. Physical ailments develop as a consequence of such triggers. There may be drowsiness, dizziness, dullness and trembling.

 

Ignatia:

This is a highly emotional remedy. The need for it is triggered by worry and grief, shock and disappointment. The individual is easily excited, is nervous, erratic. There is silent brooding, sadness and melancholy, sighing and sobbing.

 

Opium:

In need of this remedy is someone who demonstrates a lack of vitality, is sluggish, delirious. There may be scary imaginativeness.

 

Verratrum album:

This remedy is characterized by weakness, collapse. There may be shrieking, cursing and frenzy. There is melancholy, mania and stupor. The individual is indifferent.

 

 

 

Reference:

Boericke, W. (2004) Pocket manual of homeopathic materia medica and repertory New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.

Clarke, J. (1994) A Dictionary of practical materia medica New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

Must have … Arnica!

Tags

Arnica, bruise, Clever Homeopathy, hematoma, labour, surgery, trauma

 

Arnica is an all-rounder in the homeopathic home-kit, and definitely a must have! It is indicated for all those injuries, bruises and traumas that may well occur in the household, while conducting household chores, gardening, or out at play or recreation. It may be the muscular bruise from bumping into the table corner, or that from handling a garden tool; it may be the soreness following an over-exertion form work, exercise or play, all are handled very well with Arnica.

 

Pain that shouts for Arnica is one that feels as if bruised or beaten, or has the sensation of a sprain or dislocation. The soreness of muscles of Arnica may be followed by swelling or stiffness of the affected area, and damage to the skin, such as hematoma, contusion or trauma, may leave the injured area red, bluish, green, yellow or even blackish.

 

For fever, Arnica may be the right choice if there is shivering and cold all over the body, but the head is red and hot, or where there is coldness of the extremities, but internally the sensation is one of heat.

 

Arnica has a broad spectrum of indications, for example the symptoms of arteriosclerosis, often accompanied with hypotension, coronary sclerosis, muscle and joint rheumatism, stiffness of joints, rheumatoid pains, and others. It is a remedy indicated following surgery, as it helps speed up the healing process. As such it is also ideal for treatment after tooth extraction or during child birth. It is for nosebleed after coughing, for swelling of the throat in acute tonsillitis, and the hoarseness of the voice after extensive talk. It is one major remedy for cases of angina pectoris, concussion and apoplexy. Such severe health concerns though, belong into the hands of a capable professional homeopath or other health care provider.

 

 

References:

Boericke, W. (2004) Pocket manual of homeopathic materia medica and repertory New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.

 

Clarke, J. (1994) A Dictionary of practical materia medica New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.

 

DHU (2011) Homöopathisches Repetitorium  Karlsruhe: Deutsche Homöopathie Union.

 

Must have … Aconitum napellus

Tags

Aconitum, fever, fright, homeopathy, restlessness, shock, tantrum, trauma

Aconitum napellus…for shock, trauma, anxiety, fright and all sudden, acute infliction.

During my studies of homeopathy I was introduced to the remedy picture of Aconitum napellus by the exemplary scenario of a car accident. Our teacher described the image of traumatized individuals that he had frequently been confronted with in his profession as a medical doctor. The Aconitum state of shock made such witnesses, and participants of collisions or other traffic mishaps, walk away. They might be completely unhurt, physically, but demonstrated an incessant urge to walk. Such patients could walk for miles, across the country-side, just away from the scene, in any direction with an unquenchable urge to move away.

I have seen homeopathic Aconitum, work wonders where a nightly earthquake had caused a comparable state in a friend. She was irritable and had to keep moving around. A single dose of Aconitum 1M resolved the agitated state, calmed her down and gave her a restful sleep for the remainder of the night. Similarly, a patient, very much afraid of bees, due to a tendency to react allergically if stung by a bee, found her anxiety and fear removed with Aconitum. On seeing bees she would move about agitatedly, in an attempt to avoid any bees getting near to her. Following the administration of Aconitum she remained quite relaxed around bees in her garden.

In the materias medicae Aconitum napellus is indicated for persons that are sensitive & irritable, with an almost inconsolable anxiety that accompanies all illness and recovery [1]. It is a physical and mental restlessness that, accompanied by worry, fright and fear, arises with the affliction of disease. In such a state these individuals may have premonitions of their own demise with a precise indication of the exact day when they will pass away [1, 2, 3].

The state of Aconitum comes on suddenly and forcibly. It is ever only an acute situation or state that demands the prescription of Aconitum, never a longer standing or chronic infliction. Only at the beginning or at onset of a disease is Aconitum of curative use. The impact of Aconitum is solely on the functional level and its action lasts only for a short while [2].

It is frequently the exposure to dry, cold weather and wind that may cause health issues that demand Aconitum [2, 4].

Hedwig Immhäuser [4] describes the use of Aconitum in childhood ailments as follows:

Aconitum is indicated where an illness or disease sets in, following the exposure to cold and dry wind, where fright has caused shock or where teething causes complaints,.

Children in a state requiring the prescription of Aconitum may throw tantrums and may express a destructive anger. They are anxious from fright, restless and throw themselves around in their cots or beds. Such states are worse around midnight, and improve in fresh air and through perspiration.

Acute fever is treated with Aconitum if it begins suddenly and with high temperature, and is commonly accompanied by the patient feeling cold. There is great fear and restlessness. The face may be dark red and hot, and when the child sits upright, may become very pale. The skin feels dry and hot.

In cases of bronchitis the cough is dry and hollow, and worse at around midnight.

Sleeplessness responds well to Aconitum if it is the consequence of fright, and the child cries every night at around midnight, and tosses about restlessly.

Where diarrhoea is caused by fright or shock Aconitum may also be indicated.

References:

[1] Clarke, J. (1994) A Dictionary of practical materia medica New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.

[2] Boericke, W. (2004) Pocket manual of homeopathic materia medica and repertory New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.

[3] Boger, C. (2008) Boger Boennighausen’s Characteristics & Repertory New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.

[4] Immhäuser, H. (1979) Homöopathie in der Kinderheilkunde Heidelberg: Haug Verlag.

Must have … Bellis perennis

Tags

Arnica, Bellis perennis, buising, hematoma, muscular pain, over-exertion, surgery, trauma

This pretty little flower, the common daisy, is also known as woundwort or bruisewort [1]. From it originates a valuable homeopathic remedy that I suggest should not be lacking in the homeopathic home remedy kit.

 

A keynote for this remedy is bruising. Its main action is upon the muscles and blood vessels, but it is also indicated for tumorous growths coming from a blow or injury [1], [3].

 

Therefore, its homeopathic indications are for ‘consequences of’ Trauma, bruises, contusions, hematoma and muscular pain from over-exertion [2], [3]. There is a sensation of soreness and exhaustion following Trauma [2]. This ‘jewel’ to the remedy kit has been termed a ‘gardeners-drug’ as it is effective for “the aches and pains of old gardeners” [1, p.140]. Further action of Bellis is for cases of gastroenteritis, dysmenorrhea and eczema [2], [4].

 

According to Clark [3] it is also a remedy that follows where a patient has been subjected to excessive heat which was followed by sudden cooling down. Clark further mentions its efficacy for cases of varicose veins, mammary and uterine swelling. Much like Arnica it is a remedy recommended for use prior to and following surgical interventions. Its action radius is similar to that of Arnica and Calendula [3].

 

Rehman [4] particularly stresses that Bellis is a collateral remedy to Arnica in the treatment of contusions and ecchymosis. He and Clark [3] further stress that Bellis perennis is a remedy that should not be administered in the evening, as this may cause the patient to awaken early in the morning without being able find sleep again.

 

I have used this remedy for cases where the dental enamel has been damaged. In combination with Mercurius solubilis and Symphytum, Bellis perennis has been useful for cases of tooth decay, where the tooth ached and its surface had become discoloured. I could witness that the sensitivity and pain subsided, and the tainted surface retained its normal colour.

 

 

 

References:

 

[1] Bartram, T. (1998) Bartram’s encyclopedia of herbal medicine London: Constable & Robinson Ltd.

 

[2] DHU (2011) Homöopathisches Repetitorium Karlsruhe: Deutsche Homöopathie Union.

 

[3] Clarke, J. (1994) A Dictionary of practical materia medica New Ddelhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.

 

[4] Rehman, A. (2000) Handbuch der homöopatischen ArzneibeziehungenHeidelberg: Haug.