The Devil Turned Angel
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1997 Mar / Apr VOL VI NO 2.
Dr Nina Doshi
'Mag-c / Mag-m
Case 2: The Anxious Housewife
The husband of a lady patient first came and enquired if I would be able to help cure his wife's longstanding cough, for which they had knocked on many doors, including Homoeopaths. Next day, this short statured, obese lady came alone for her treatment. She appeared quite composed and frequent shifting of the edge of the pallu of her sari was the only giveaway of her anxiety. She appeared withdrawn, yet frank while giving her symptoms and she left with an impression that she would not return, and had visited me just to pacify her husband, who must have pushed her to my clinic.
But how wrong our judgement can be! She not only came back for her follow up, but religiously came till such time that I told her she needed no more medicine.
Chief Complaints
Cough since almost 6-7 years. Cough starts after, cold drinks, sweets, ice-cream, curds etc.
< during morning, < on waking up, < before going to sleep, < walking, < open air.
Cough with dribbling of urine. No cough during sleep. Lately she had avoided cold things but was still having a constant cough.
Breathlessness on exertion [pt Overweight]
Likes closed spaces, doors and windows locked, curtains drawn and darkness in the house. Can even carry on her normal work of cooking, feeding, cleaning without light in the house.
Aversion to sunlight and heat in any form.
Sneezing < open air > dust
No h/o allergy
Nose block < winters < night
Colds after emotional outbursts, after working in cold water < cold air < open air
< cap on head [ covering head]. Sometimes with hoarseness
headache on and off < light > darkness > closed room
Constipation; flatulence and eructations.
Mentals
Anxiety about work. Cannot rest in peace till work is finished. Wants to finish her work fast, without delay. Has to do her work perfectly and efficiently. Anxiety about husband's temper as he is the bickering type, who wants things according to his wishes. She stays awake till late at the night for her husband to return, so that she can serve hot chappatis to him.
Fastidious - has to clean up everything and cannot rest till things are put in their proper place. Cannot see water flowing from a fridge.
She is a Marwari married to a Gujarati. They had eloped and got married. They are self made people. Initially no one from either side accepted their alliance and they had to fend for themselves.
She is 5th child in her family. She stayed in constant fear of her father who was very strict. Husband is known for violent outbursts of temper but is also very jovial. But she is averse to being teased or ridiculed, Weeps if offended, insulted or when children say things to her.
Concerned about the health of people at home.
Generally does not show her anger but tolerates and tries to please others. [Husband does not like anybody falling sick, and she feels it is just a human nature to have sickness] Feels relieved when husband is away on tour.
Aversion to sunlight or heat in any form. Keeps curtains drawn.
Past History
Urticaria at age of 14-15 yrs
Traveler's diarrhoea
Obstetric History: 5 FTND 2 sons, 3 daughters
FAMILY HISTORY: Father - Cardiac asthma. Elder brother - Cardiac asthma. Sister - Asthma
Younger sister - died of kidney failure.
