Scope of Homeopathy in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

What Is Post-traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychiatric condition that arises after an individual has witnessed or been affected by a life-threatening event such as an environmental disaster, sexual assault, or violent assault. People who suffer from this will feel stressed or frightened even when they are no longer in danger. They show symptoms such as having flashbacks and behavioral disorders, including insomnia, crying, bipolar disorder, depression, etc. They may show withdrawal from social occasions, family, and friends. Often, PTSD can be so severe that it interferes with daily life. It is also called battle fatigue, shell shock, survivor's guilt, and traumatic neurosis.

When Was Post-traumatic Stress Disorder First Discovered?

Post-traumatic stress disorder was first discovered in the early '80s in Moscow, USSR (Union of Soviet Socialistic Republics).

What Are the Symptoms of Post-traumatic Disorder?

• Alertness.

• Get startled easily.

• Anxiety.

• Irritability.

• Difficulty with cognitive functions.

• Anger.

• Mood swings.

• Shaken.

• Emotional numbness.

• Disinterest in social contact.

• Loss of memory.

• Avoiding areas associated with the trauma.

What Are the Phases of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder?

PTSD can be classified into four phases:

• Impact phase.

• Rescue phase.

• Intermediate recovery phase.

• Long-term reconstruction phase.

What Are the Symptoms of PTSD in Adults?

1. Re-Experiencing Symptoms:

• Flash-backs - reliving the trauma again and again, including physical symptoms like racing heart or sweating.

• Nightmares that disrupt sleep.

• Disruption of daily life triggered by some words, objects, or situations that remind them of their trauma.

2. Avoiding Symptoms:

• Feeling emotionally numb.

• Losing interest in hobbies and activities.

• Having trouble recalling the traumatic event.

• Feeling strong guilt, depression, or worry.

• Staying away from places and situations that are reminders.

3. Hyperarousal Symptoms:

• Being easily startled.

• Feeling tense or "on edge."

• Having difficulty sleeping.

• Anger outbursts.

Will Children With PTSD React Differently Than Adults?

Children and teens will have extreme responses to trauma, but few of their symptoms may not be as same as the adults. Signs and symptoms are sometimes seen in very young children who are less than six years old. These symptoms can include:

• Wetting the bed even after being trained how to use the toilet.

• Forgetting or being unable to talk.

• Performing out the scary incident during the playtime.

• Being constantly by the side of a parent or other adult to have their attention.

Older children and teens will show symptoms similar to those seen in adults. They may exhibit disruptive, disrespectful, or destructive behaviors and may also have thoughts of vengeance.

How Serious Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post-traumatic stress disorder, if left untreated, can lead to severe problems in behavior in affected patients, which can worsen their mental health. The affected person will be harmful to themselves or others. We can alleviate the signs and symptoms if they are treated with counseling and medical therapy.

How Is Homeopathy Used in the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder?

Homeopathy can play a more significant role in the treatment of the symptoms of PTSD. It is a holistic treatment approach, where treatment is given to patients on all levels like spiritual, mental, or emotional, and the physical planes on which the symptoms of PTSD are manifested and expressive.

What Are the Homeopathy Remedies for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder?

1. Stramonium is an excellent medicine in treating nightmares, fear of darkness, anxiety after undergoing violence, and a feeling of being in danger.

2. Mancinella helps children and battered women who have the sensation of being controlled by an outside force such as an alien or devil.

3. Gelsemium quells anticipatory fears and the feeling that something bad will happen in the future.

These are some examples of homeopathic remedies that can be very beneficial in treating PTSD and other mental illnesses. There are many more that can be used based on additional symptoms presented by the patient. If you or your loved ones have PTSD, I suggest consulting a homeopathy physician at the earliest to get cured of it and enjoy life as it should be.

The other homeopathic remedies for PTSD include:

Absinthium: The patient requiring this remedy will have nervousness and sleeplessness, visions, and frightening hallucinations. The affected ones do not want to engage with others and may tend to brutality and violence. This may alternate with a state of unconsciousness.

Aconitum: This medicine is used in patients with:

• Tremendous and uncontrollable anguish, fear and anxiety, irritability, sadness, and gloom.

• For whom there is no hope for recovery from illness.

• Those who predict the day of their death.

• Those who have nervousness and weakness.

• For the individual who has a fear of leaving the house, of being in a crowd.

• Aconite is a short-acting treatment for acute states.

Agaricus: This remedy is used for patients with great changeability, irritability, and depression.

• The affected individual is sullen and stubborn and wishes not to engage in communication with others.

• They cannot recognize anyone and will throw objects around.

• They will have a state of delirium with confusion in mind.

Anacardium: This remedy is for those with fixed beliefs and hallucinations.

• The individual will express their anxiety over somebody following them when moving about. They can be easily offended, and in contrast, they can become furious.

Anhalonium: This remedy is used for individuals who have mistrust and displeasure.

• The individual is confused and will have delusions.

• The patient will feel like observing themselves from outside their body and be dissociated from their nearest environment.

• The sense of time and reality is lost here.

Ambra Grisea: Ambra is used for those who fear having a company with people and want to be alone. These individuals will:

• Feel shy in the presence of others. On the other hand, they will be restless, excited, and talkative.

• Have difficulty in concentration.

• Lose their hope over life to the extent that they hate life.

Arsenicum Album: This is a remedy indicated for people with great distress accompanied by restlessness.

• Patients will have a fear of death and a feeling of being left alone accompanied by cold sweat.

• The individual will not take any medicines, considering them useless.

• They are sensitive to confusion and disorder.

• The individual will have a selfish character, lack courage, being covetous may incline them to be hateful or suicidal.

Aurum Metallicum: The patient needing Aurum will exhibit feelings of self-condemnation, utter worthlessness, deep hopelessness, and a deep hatred for life. They will always be irritable, anxious, and easily angered. These people cannot handle disagreement, which is quarrelsome and makes them tend to commit suicide.

Kalium Bromatum: This remedy is used for patients with a deep illusion of being morally imperfect, and conspiracies building against them feel singled out. They fear getting poisoned, have frightful nightmares, horrible illusions, and are depressed and sad.

Natrium Muriaticum: This remedy is used in patients with illness produced by anger, grief, fear, mental disposition, and fright.

• The individual can be irritable, tearful, sad, depressed, and even hysterical.

• There is a weakness of memory, inattention, and they are tired of life.

• Depression and sadness will induce remembrance of unpleasant incidents.

Opium: Opium has horrible visions with fear, anxiety, and uneasiness. The individual will become easily excited and will be restless, irritated, and anxious.

Morphium (Derivative of Opium): This remedy is used for individuals in a state of shock that experience terror. They will be in a dream-like state. Yet, they will be irritable, depressive, and hysterical.

Nitricum Acidum: This is for a headstrong person who is hateful and vengeful.

• They will be indifferent to all and will have a sense of hopelessness over their health.

• Fears death and is tired of life.

• Obstinate, depressed, and sad.

• They can be easily startled and frightened.

• Sensitive to noise, touch, and pain and cries easily.

• They will be angry over their own mistakes.

• They avoid engaging in communication with their surroundings.

• They will have a great memory and intellectual capacity weakness and may be unfit to conduct work.