The Intoxicated Social Worker .
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1995 Mar / Apr Vol IV No 2.
Sheila Rao.
Cases.
` Cann-i / Tub.

CASE 1:

Miss X, a 24 year old female, was brought to the clinic against her will by her husband and two colleagues. She was in an excitable state: talking constantly, singing, and laughing loudly on her way to the clinic.

Life History:

She was the elder child of her parents and intelligent. Did BSc in chemistry against the wishes of her father who wanted her to study medicine. Later she did her masters degree in social work. During the course she met her future husband and fell in love with him. Though he came from a different cultural and economic background, his parents accepted her, and she got married to him, after convincing even her own father. Later she found it difficult to adjust to the different set of circumstances with little support from her husband and parents-in-law. She realized that she was not compatible with her husband intellectually, financially and sexually. She could not manage both her job and household activities efficiently.

When her mother died of breast cancer in September 1994, it was traumatic for the patient.

Around her first marriage anniversary she realized that neither her husband nor parents-in-law, nor her own father understood her. She nurtured a resentment against her father because of his opposition while she was studying BSC, taking a degree in social work and taking part in dancing and dramatics.

She presented her husband and in-laws with expensive gifts to win their appreciation but in vain. The last straw on the camels back came when during an argument at her parents place her husband pulled her Mangal Sutra and broke it. She felt that her husband was treating her like dirt.

Since then she became restless, loquacious, and could not stay in one place either at her in laws or her parents.

During the interview, she spoke almost for 2 hours on various topics from philosophy to bomb blasts. She added that World is a stage and we are all actors. She considered herself to be a small i, a small flower on this earth, and if her husband tied her up forcibly she would wither. She said that she nurtured flower plants and wondered who would water them, adding that she wanted to relieve a part of their sufferings. She insisted that she was a religious person and before leaving she performed some pooja before the Ganesh idol in the clinic.

When her husband was called in separately to fill in the gaps in case taking while she waited outside in the waiting room, everyone in the waiting room, everyone in the waiting room was affected by her excited state and became anxious.

Case Analysis:

A sensitive, talented and intelligent patient. She was totally oblivious of her surroundings, at peace with herself; extremely loquacious and restless. There was also a history of extreme grief from mothers death, anger and mortification which she internalised.

Treatment and Follow-up:

She was given Cannabis - indica 1 M three doses 12 hours apart and SL for 15 days.
11-12-94 - Her husband reported that her state of mind had improved. She however suffered from sleeplessness. Her speech was rational.
Cannabis-indica 1M repeated; three doses. SL for 4 days.
12-12-94 - The patient telephoned me and started talking rationally. However five minutes later she was again rambling in her speech. She mentioned that she wanted to divorce her husband and spoke for nearly 30 minutes (on the telephone!) at the end of which she asked me not to try and patch up her relations with her husband.
17-12-94 - The patient came to the clinic with her brother. She was very cool, calm and composed. She entered alone. She had written down her complaints herself and very systematically. It was observed that she was very duty conscious.
Cannabis - indica 1M three doses and SL for 15 days. The same patients who had been in the waiting room last time were present when she left. They were all pleasantly surprised to notice the change in her behaviour.
She kept well for over a month after which she complained of cough and coryza. She was given Pulsatilla 1 M.
She had by then decided to get on with her life and live with her husband. She also started attending to routine activities and office. She has remained well balanced, and cheerful since then.

CASE 2:

FEAR OF CONSUMPTION

Mrs. A, a 30 year old lady came with a complaint of leucorrhoea. It was thick, white, sticky and delible. She had come along with her aunt who entered the consultation room, but the patient stood waiting outside the door hesitating to walk in. After a little persuasion she came in but she stood just by the door as if afraid. She was lean, thin and had an anxious look on her face.

On questioning, her aunt reported that the patient had come to her brothers place from her in-laws for a holiday. Here she developed fever and cough for which allopathic treatment was given which however did not relieve. An X-ray of chest was taken and it was suggested that she might be suffering from Tuberculosis of the lungs (a provisional diagnosis) on hearing which she was shocked. There was great fear and anxiety - what would her in-laws think? What would happen to her daughter? What would happen to her? - such questions constantly came to her mind.

A weak of antibiotics and then another X-ray was taken which turned out to be normal. Despite such news, her fears further increased. She became more anxious, lost her sleep and started losing weight. Developed a fear of going out and aversion to people. She would sit and weep. She had a sensation that her head and face were covered by a mask. She complained of itching of scalp as if infested with lice. She was also anxious about her second daughter who was born prematurely.

There was a lack of confidence in her. She also had a fear of darkness.

Treatment and Follow-up:

Because of the shock of hearing that she might be suffering from tuberculosis led me to prescribe Tuberculinum.

24-5-94 - Tuberculinum 1M and SL for 15 days.
30-5-94 - Complains of lethargy and severe cough which had increased. The cough was worse at night, and while eating. Her mental condition was more stable. SL was given for 4 days.
2-6-94 - The cough subsided. For the first time the patient came alone and looked more confident. There was increase in appetite and no lethargy. SL continued.
16-6-94 - Sound sleep. No more fears and generally cheerful. No anxiety and was ready to get back to her husband and daughter.