A Case Of Depression.
NATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOMOEOPATHY 1995 Mar / Apr Vol IV No 2.
Chandrima Sen.
Cases.
` Ph-ac.

It is said that ones first love is very difficult to forget. Similarly ones first case in practice is also difficult to forget; more so if its results are quite dramatic.

I had just passed my BHMS when a Parsee lady, a matron in a hospital, sought my help for her husband suffering from severe bouts of depression.

A happy-go-lucky gentleman, 56 years old, had started talking irrelevantly. He was admitted to a hospital, diagnosed as depression and discharged in a fortnight after treatment with antidepressants. When I saw him he seemed not to be interested in anything. Sat like a dummy. Did not communicate even with wife and daughter.

History (as given by Patients Wife):-

Patient had a brother 15 years younger to him. He loved his younger brother too much, to the extent of turning a blind eye to his wayward activities. When his parents scolded his younger brother for keeping bad company he would defend his brother. Got his brother settled in life by getting him a job in his hometown. Trouble started after his brothers marriage. His wife could not adjust with the family and after constant bickering for 10 years wanted to separate. They had vast agricultural land. Not only did his brother grab the farm forcibly from his parents but also threatened his parents of dire consequences to the extent of kidnapping his niece, if they protested or went to court. His parents left their ancestral home and come to live with the patient. His father expired soon after, a heart broken man. Mother lives with him. Patients symptoms started after his fathers death. Started talking irrelevantly. Now sits throughout the day with a dull expression. Even when his wife was relating the history the patient seemed to be absorbed in his own world and had a look of utter indifference. Gone was the confident stride. He now stumbled while walking. I questioned the patient alone. After much prodding he said that he was responsible for this state as he supported his brothers wayward activities. He hears and sees his dead father telling him so. Sleep disturbed because of frequent urination.

He is diabetic and takes allopathic treatment for it.

Bread causes acidity, flatulence. Better by passing wind.

Rubrics taken from Boger Boenninghausens Repertory are:

1. Benumbed (194)
2. Dullness - Mental obtuseness (199)
3. Grief, sorrow (203)
4. Indifference (201)
5. Illusion of dead (205)
6. Illusion authority voice (205)
7. Stupefied dazed (218)
8. Bread < (119)
9. Urine frequent night (627).

Clearly Phosphoric-acid won the race over other drugs.

Given: Phosphoric-acid 1M one dose.
Kali-phos 12x BD - 15 days
(Kali phos had to be given as I could not convince the patient that only one dose ofPhos-acid would do the required job)
Wife telephoned after 15 days; not much improvement. Urine frequently but little less, sleep good.
Repeated Phos-acid 1M one dose.
Kali-phos 12x twice a day - 15 days.
Wife telephoned to say that patient was showing a little interest in TV serials.
Total 4 doses of Phos-acid 1M were required over a two month period.
Slowly the patient started taking interest in day-to-day activities. He did a short course on acupressure, joined a charitable organisation, started treating poor and invalids and deriving great mental satisfaction. Homoeopathy had successfully managed to pull him back and set him on the right track.