Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Mental Disorder

• Ignatia Amara
  Common Name: St. Ignatius bean
  Symptoms: Ignatia Amara is one of the chief remedies for hysteria. It primarily works on emotions and is used to treat conditions that occur due to the hampering of mental coordination. This remedy can also help manage the following symptoms:
  • Feeling of deep sadness without any cause along with sighing and sobbing
  • A feeling of heaviness in the head
  • Effects of grief, shock, disappointment and worry, for example, insomnia due to grief
  • Twitching of limbs while falling asleep 

The symptoms worsen in the morning and after meals. They may also be aggravated by going out in open air, smoking, and external warmth. Symptoms get better with changing positions and while having a meal.

• Phosphoricum Acidum
  Common Name: Phosphoric acid
  Symptoms: Phosphoric acid is mainly used for treating mental debility and it aids in the management of nervous exhaustion. This remedy can also help manage the following symptoms:
  • Impaired memory
  • Delirium with shock
  • Effects of mental shock and grief
  • Heaviness of the head with a crushing headache
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Thinning and greying of hair (Read more: Grey hair causes)
  • Vertigo in the evening, while walking and standing
  • Drowsiness
  • Excessive sweating during night and in the morning

Symptoms aggravate with exertion, excessive sexual activities, loss of vital fluids and talking about the symptoms. Anything that slows down circulation also worsens the symptoms. The symptoms get better by keeping oneself warm.

• Pulsatilla Pratensis
  Common Name: Wind flower
  Symptoms: It is best suited for individuals who tend to be sad, cry easily and randomly while talking. The following symptoms can also be treated using this remedy:
  • Fear of being alone in the evening and of ghosts 
  • Feeling sad for no reason
  • Fond of sympathy
  • Easily discouraged
  • Stitching pain in the head which travels to face and teeth
  • Excessively emotional
  • Excessive sleepiness in the afternoon

Symptoms worsen from heat, post-meals, especially after having fatty food, in the evening, with warmth and while lying on the left side. Symptoms get better by moving about, going out in open air, and consumption of cold food and drinks.

• Anacardium Orientale
  Common Name: Marking nut
  Symptoms: Marking nut is an effective remedy for weakened or damaged memory, irritability, emotional disturbances, depression and reduction in sensory perceptions such as that of smell, sight and hearing abilities. It works well in those who are easily offended and tend to use violent language. This remedy can also help in the treatment of the following symptoms:
  • Hallucinations 
  • Anxiety while walking, as if the person is being followed
  • A profound feeling of sadness with no reason
  • Absent-mindedness
  • Vertigo
  • Brain-fag (brain fatigue)

Symptoms worsen on applying hot water and the person gets relief after meals and in the side-lying position.

• Sepia Officinalis
  Common Name: Inky juice of cuttlefish
  Symptoms: It is effective for individuals who tend to get easily offended and show the following symptoms:
  • Irritability
  • Extreme sadness
  • Weeping while telling the symptoms
  • Anxiousness in the evening

Symptoms worsen in the evening and before noon, with dampness, on going out in cold air and after sweating. Symptoms get better by exercising, after taking a good sleep, and with hot applications.

• Belladonna
  Common Name: Deadly nightshade
  Symptoms: Belladonna affects the whole nervous system. It is particularly used to treat delirium, restless sleep and excited mental state. This remedy can also be used in the management of:
  • Hallucinations and illusions, the person sees gruesome faces and monsters
  • A desire to escape
  • Absent-mindedness
  • Fainting
  • Screaming in sleep
  • Sleeplessness with drowsiness

Symptoms worsen due to loud noise, in the afternoon and while lying down. Symptoms get better on sitting in a semi-erect position.

• Hyoscyamus Niger
  Common Name: Henbane
  Symptoms: Hyoscyamus niger is effective for those who have a suspicious nature. The following symptoms can be treated using this remedy:
  • Jealousy and foolishness
  • Obscene and lascivious mania
  • Laughing at everything
  • Delirium with a desire and attempt to escape
  • Sleeplessness

Symptoms worsen at night, after meals, while lying down and during periods. Symptoms get better on stooping.

• Cannabis Indica
  Common Name: Hashish
  Symptoms: Cannabis Indica is used to treat subconscious or dual nature state. In this state, the individual is apparently under the control of a second self, which is different from the original self. However, the original self does not let the second self do any tasks. This remedy can also help treat the following symptoms:
  • Hallucinations and imaginations
  • Forgetfulness and inability to complete sentences
  • Delirium
  • Uncontrollable laughter
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Constant fear of madness
  • Mania
  • Talkativeness
  • Drowsiness with an inability to sleep

Symptoms worsen in the morning and while lying on the right side. Coffee, liquor and tobacco also aggravate the symptoms. Symptoms get better with rest, cold water and on going out in fresh air.

• Aurum Metallicum
  Common Name: Metallic gold
  Symptoms: Metallic gold is useful for treating depression, hopelessness and a tendency to self-destruction, such as the desire to commit suicide. Other symptoms that can be managed using this medicine include:
  • Extreme sensitivity to noise
  • Excitement and confusion
  • Blaming oneself for everything
  • Fear of people and society
  • Sleeplessness
  • Sobbing aloud in sleep
  • Nightmares

Symptoms worsen in winter and certain symptoms only show up in the winter season between sunset and sunrise.

• Agnus Castus
  Common Name: The chaste tree
  Symptoms: This remedy is used for cowardly or timid people who show the following symptoms:
  • Absent-mindedness and forgetfulness
  • Nervous depression
  • Fear of death and sadness

• Natrium Muriaticum
  Common Name: Chloride of sodium
  Symptoms: It is primarily used for treating weakness and weariness. A few other symptoms that can be treated using natrium muriaticum are:
  • Side effects of fright, grief and anger
  • Depression due to chronic diseases
  • Irritability
  • Tears with laughter
  • Sleepiness before noon
  • Nervous jerking before sleep

Symptoms worsen due to mental exertion, with warmth and talking. Symptoms also aggravate at the seashore and on lying down at 10 am. Symptoms get better in the open air, wearing tight-fitting clothes, bathing in cold water and by putting pressure against the back.

• Cimicifuga Racemosa
  Common Name: Black snake-root
  Symptoms: Black snake-root is primarily used for treating restlessness and pain. It can also be used to manage the following symptoms associated with mental disorders:
  • Severe depression
  • Illusion and disturbed mental state
  • Uninterrupted and continuous talking
  • Self-destructive habits
  • Mania
  • Sleeplessness

Symptoms worsen in the morning and during periods. Symptoms get better by eating and with warmth.

• Stramonium
  Common Name: Thorn-apple
  Symptoms: Thorn-apple is useful in the management of restlessness and disturbed mental condition. It is also used to treat the following symptoms:
  • Talkativeness 
  • Compulsive laughter, singing and rhyming (Read more: Pathological laughter and crying causes)
  • Seeing and hearing ghosts 
  • Talking with spirits
  • Inability to tolerate darkness and solitude
  • A desire to escape
  • Rapid mood swings from joy to sadness
  • Spasms on looking at a bright and shiny object

Symptoms worsen when the person is alone or in a dark room, right after waking up, and while swallowing and looking at a bright object. Symptoms improve in a place with sufficient light and by staying in company. Warmth also improves the symptoms.

• Staphysagria
  Common Name: Stavesacre
  Symptoms: It is mainly used in highly sensitive people and is effective in the management of the following symptoms:
  • Sudden and forceful expression of passion
  • Irritability

Stavesacre is especially given to children who keep on crying for certain things and refuse to take them when offered 

Symptoms worsen due to emotions like anger and grief, with fluid loss and due to overindulgence in sexual activities. Symptoms get better after taking a good night's rest, after having breakfast, and with warmth.

In addition to prescribing specific remedies, a homeopathic doctor will tell you to do some modifications in your diet and lifestyle that will help you heal faster. This is because homeopathic medicines are prepared in highly diluted doses and several factors can interfere with or suppress their action. Here are some of these do's and don'ts that you may be asked to remember:

Do’s: 

• Eat healthy and nutritious foods.
• Stay in hygienic conditions and maintain good personal hygiene. 
• Include adequate physical exercise in your daily routine.

Don’ts: 

• Do not eat foods which possess medicinal properties.
• Avoid beverages that have a strong odour or those that have caffeine, like tea and coffee.
• Avoid excess of sugar, salt and spices. 
• Avoid damp and wet conditions.
• Avoid emotions such as anger and grief that may affect your mental health.

Homeopathic medicines are of natural origin and are known to be free of adverse effects. These medicines are safe for use in children, adults, elderly individuals and pregnant women. They stimulate the person’s innate immunity to restore balance and harmony in the body, which ultimately helps reduce the disease symptoms. 

Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathic remedies in treating mental disorders.

A clinical study reflected the positive role of homeopathy in the management of antipsychotic treatment-resistant schizophrenia in individuals aged 20-60 years. Lycopodium, sulphur, phosphorus, natrium muriaticum and pulsatilla were found to be the most useful remedies.

According to a randomised double-blind trial published in the Journal of Homeopathy and Ayurvedic Medicine, homeopathy can be effectively used in the management of anxiety and depression. In the trial, 30 patients with anxiety and depression, in the mean age of 45, were given either homeopathic medicine or placebo for a period of 16 weeks. Pre- and post-treatment tests and questionnaires were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. It was found that the group that took homeopathic remedies had much lower anxiety and depression than the placebo group. 

Homeopathic medicines are obtained from natural substances that are extensively diluted, before use, thereby eliminating their side effects. These remedies are found to be safe and effective in the majority of the population. However, it is always best to consult an experienced homeopathic doctor before taking any homeopathic medicine. This is because homeopathic remedies are highly individualised, a medicine that works for one person may not work for another. A doctor will prescribe the most suitable remedy based on all of your symptoms.

Mental disorders include a wide range of conditions that cause disturbances in thought and behaviour. Conventional medicines have their own set of side effects that cannot be avoided. Homeopathic medicines are made from natural substances that are clinically effective and safe and have no adverse effects. However, always consult a doctor before taking homeopathic medicine. A homeopathic doctor prescribes individualised remedies, which greatly benefit those with mental disorders and improve the overall quality of their mental health