Depression: Approach and Management
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1997 Jan / Feb VOL VI NO 1.
Dr Vishpala Parthasarathy
' Ananc / Lach / Naja
We took up a study of 87 cases of Depression over 8 years, of diverse Types, Causes and Age groups.
Criteria for Exclusion:
1. with past history of serious suicidal attempts.
2. Those not willing to discontinue Allopathic treatment
3. Where severity of Depression was corresponding to precipitating factor. E.g. Depression was due either to death of parent or spouse. This is a normal reaction and cases were not taken.
Criteria for Inclusion:
1. Cases with Psychological Complains
2. Cases with Somatic complaints with no demonstrable cause.
3. Cases already diagnosed by Psychiatrists.
Vital Statistic of the Sample:
Age 2 1/2 to 72 years
- Mean 38.2 years
- sex - 52 Women
- 35 Men
Commonest Somatic Complaints:
1. Backache-We ruled out Postural causes, Trauma, Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc, Infection, Neoplasm.
2. Headache ENT, Neurology causes were NAD
3. Giddiness Ophthalmic.
We will now take up some cases and see how these were actually handled in practice.
Case 1: The Angry Bride
A 29 year old female, married 6 months, came on 2-8-96, covered with PSORIATIC scaly
patches, from top - bottom, mainly on legs and arms. A newly married girl, one would expect to be glowing, but she was dull and drab.
The Problem started in Jan 95 and worsened in Mar 96. It spread from Lt. Foot -Rt. Foot- arms - legs. There was burning -red patches . which coalesce and peeled off. Hard skin with cracks and itching 3. Bath worsens. Worse after marriage.
Patient As A Person :
Height: 5'4 , Weight: 52.5 kgs, Perspiration - less,
Appetite - Normal.
Cravings- Pickles3, Chocolates 3, Banana3, Pastry3
Aversions- Tomatoes, Sour food.
MP-1-2/30-37; scanty
Menses before- Appetite 3 voracious
stools - Diarrhoea 3 per day. MD>
Sex- Nil, since hates sight of her own body.
Mentals: Irritability3 < contradiction.
Brooding 3; Sulks 3 for days; Weepy3
Mortification3 -Feels betrayed.
Therefore -Suspicious3, Aggressive2, destructive3, Obstinate3,Fastidious3
Revengeful3, Anxious3, worrying 3Depressed3
Loves music, stamps, Animals3- ever heard some one with pet crow, well she has one!
Sleep- Unfreshing. Tied3 Weak, Disturbed by thoughts3, Dreams of own house.
Dreams:
1. Lost in the train
2. Lost husband and is gripped by fear
3. Locked in cage- wanting help. Husband is outside with folded hands with people talking and laughing,
4. Ganapati with head bleeding
We see that all her dreams depict her Depression and Insecurity about LOSING husband and house.
Life Story
Parents lived and worked in Singapore. Having had no issue - F adopted brother's son. Later our patient was born in 1996, when father was aged 40 and mother 31. Father had an electrical and textile business. In 1989 father's business went into loss. He, being eldest and having helped his whole family all his life, his one brother called him to KURASA, saying he would give a house and help start a shop etc. but he betrayed them. In a few months this brother sold off the bungalow he had provided. No house. No work. They had to start from scratch. Having lived in luxury all her life, for the first time at the age of 23 she started working. She took care of the shop while father traveled for buying goods.
Meanwhile there was crises with the brother too, who had moved to US in '83 for studies. He suddenly came to visit &accused mother of loving sister more and not caring for him and thus ruining his life. This sudden, unexpected outburst created havoc in the family. Without even patching up he went back to USA. This trauma aggravated the already difficult condition in the family.
Anyway, gradually business improved and eventually in 1993 all moved back to Singapore. In 1995 the patient came to Mumbai on a vacation and fell in love with her cousin. He proposed and they got married in Feb 1996.
Three episodes created problems.
1. Mother-in-law said one proposal for her husband is very good. Quiet but very good girl. Patient felt Slighted3 mortified3 and was very angry. Her psoriasis worsened3.
2. After marriage, when she went to Singapore, her brother came again, fought and all her feelings came out. Her psoriasis worsened3.
3. Patient hates her unmarried sister-in-law who is talkative, dominating and catty. Patient is constantly tense, When sister-in-law is at home, patient keeps to her room. She wants sister-in-law to marry and get out and start her own life and leave her to her own house. Feels her in-laws should push her harder for her marriage.
