HOMOEOPATHY FOR MENTAL ILLNESS IN CHILDREN

Mental illness in children can be hard for parents to identify. As a result, many children who could benefit from treatment don't get the help they need. Understand the warning signs of mental illness in children and how you can help your child cope.

It's typically up to the adults in a child's life to identify whether the child has a mental health concern. Unfortunately, many adults don't know the signs and symptoms of mental illness in children.

Even if you know the red flags, it can be difficult to distinguish signs of a problem from normal childhood behavior. You might reason that every child displays some of these signs at some point. And children often lack the vocabulary or developmental ability to explain their concerns.

Concerns about the stigma associated with mental illness, the use of certain medications, and the cost or logistical challenges of treatment might also prevent parents from seeking care for a child who has a suspected mental illness.

Children can develop all of the same mental health conditions as adults, but sometimes express them differently. For example, depressed children will often show more irritability than depressed adults, who more typically show sadness.

Children can experience a range of mental health conditions, including:

Anxiety disorders. Children who have anxiety disorders — such as obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder — experience anxiety as a persistent problem that interferes with their daily activities.

Some worry is a normal part of every child's experience, often changing from one developmental stage to the next. However, when worry or stress make it hard for a child to function normally, an anxiety disorder should be considered.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This condition typically includes symptoms in three categories: difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. Some children with ADHD have symptoms in all of these categories, while others may have symptoms in only one.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Autism spectrum disorder is a serious developmental disorder that appears in early childhood — usually before age 3. Though symptoms and severity vary, ASD always affects a child's ability to communicate and interact with others.

Eating disorders. Eating disorders — such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder — are serious, even life-threatening, conditions. Children can become so preoccupied with food and weight that they focus on little else.

Mood disorders. Mood disorders — such as depression and bipolar disorder — can cause a child to feel persistent feelings of sadness or extreme mood swings much more severe than the normal mood swings common in many people.

Schizophrenia. This chronic mental illness causes a child to lose touch with reality (psychosis). Schizophrenia most often appears in the late teens through the 20s

Symptoms

 Mood changes. Look for feelings of sadness or withdrawal that last at least two weeks or severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships at home or school.

Intense feelings. Be aware of feelings of overwhelming fear for no reason — sometimes with a racing heart or fast breathing — or worries or fears intense enough to interfere with daily activities.

Behavior changes. These includes drastic changes in behavior or personality, as well as dangerous or out-of-control behavior. Fighting frequently, using weapons and expressing a desire to badly hurt others also are warning signs.

Difficulty concentrating. Look for signs of trouble focusing or sitting still, both of which might lead to poor performance in school.

Unexplained weight loss. A sudden loss of appetite, frequent vomiting or use of laxatives might indicate an eating disorder.

Physical symptoms. Compared with adults, children with a mental health condition may develop headaches and stomachaches rather than sadness or anxiety.

Physical harm. Sometimes a mental health condition leads to self-injury, also called self-harm. This is the act of deliberately harming your own body, such as cutting or burning yourself. Children with a mental health condition also may develop suicidal thoughts or actually attempt suicide.

Substance abuse. Some kids use drugs or alcohol to try to cope with their feelings.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When mental illness is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

ANTIMONIUM CRUDUM  200- Antim crud is a very well indicated medicine in children who are unusually abusive. The child is excessively irritable and crossed. Any attempt to please the child fails. Nothing seems to satisfy the child. There is much brooding and the child doesn’t want to speak. The child gets angry when someone looks at him. Antim crud may be prescribed in children who are extremely short tempered without any relevant cause.

ARSENICUM ABLB 200- Intense anxiety with great restlessness. Fears something terrible will happen.He is worse during night. Very chilly , exact and fault finding. He is meticulously tidy

CHAMOMILLA 200-Chamomilla is an excellent medicine in cases of extreme abusiveness in children. The child may be extremely restless and may cry continuously. The child keeps demanding one thing after the other and refuses when given. There may be temper tantrum on every little thing. The child cannot tolerate if anyone tries to speak to him. The child may be extremely abusive and complaining. The child cannot take no for an answer and may keep moaning continuously because he is being refused things that he demands. Chamomilla may be given in children who get extremely abusive and violent when anyone interrupts him.

ARGENTUM NITRICUM 30- This is one of the most important medicines for anxiety related disorders

The patient is very nervous and impulsive by nature; extremely hurried in whatever he does. He dreads situations that may cause him anxiety and tries to avoid getting into such situations. Multiple phobias such as fear of darkness, evil, fear of heights, tall buildings, of passing certain places, etc. anticipatory anxiety which causes diarrhea before any important event or function. Intense apprehension and worry about trifling matters. All this anxiety causes much brain fag and the patient feels as if time passes too slowly. Physical symptoms of anxiety very marked such as trembling of hands and feet, palpitations in the chest, shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting, dryness of mouth, stammering, excessive sweating, etc.

CINA 200-Cina is another indicated remedy in children who are abusiveness. The child may be very cross and irritable and hates when touched. Children who don’t want to be carried, talked to or touched. They may turn away from strangers. The child bores his face in his mother’s lap and cries incessantly. Here again, the child desires many things but rejects everything when offered. Cina may be prescribed in children who suffer from worm infestations.

HYOSCYAMUS 200--Hyoscyamus is a very well indicated remedy in abusiveness in children. The child may be very quarrelsome and abusive. He may hurl verbal abuses at everyone around him. There may be constant grumbling and muttering due to irritation. The child may be extremely impatient and talkative. Hyocyamus may be prescribed when the child make fun of other children and is extremely insulting. There may be an unusual tendency to find fault. There is much dejection and despair. The child may be insensitive to others feelings.

NATRUM MUR 200-Natrum Mur is useful in cases of abusive children who are extremely weepy and cross. They refuse to be consoled and weep more on consolation. The child is generally well behaved and may be suppressed for a long time. Due to prolonged suppression, there may piling up of the emotions. Suddenly, the child just explodes with angry bouts. The child prefers to be left alone to cry. There is much awkwardness and hasty behaviour. Natrum mur is effective when the child gets irritated with trifle things.

CALCAREA CARB 200- It is another effective remedy. The patient thinks that he has done something wrong. He feels uneasy and anxious with palpitations . Fears loss of reason. Desperate of life. Fears insanity. Bores others by repeatedly describing his ailments

GELSEMIUM 200- Another important remedy for this condition. Anxiety due to fright, fear, emotions, exciting news , or forth coming examinations and interview .Stage fright

LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM 200--Intense fear of going in public places and performing in public. The patient dreads public appearance even if his profession demands it. Intense fear of not being able to perform well and fear of negative evaluation by others. Anticipatory anxiety is marked and there is total loss of self confidence. Constant apprehension and fear of breaking down under stress. The patient is unable to sleep due to the happenings during the day. Anxiety about forth coming events

PHOSPHORUS 200- Very restless patients who are sensitive. They need security and constant reassurance. Anxious, restless and nervous due to the fear of darkness, thunder, alone or dying

PULSATILLA NIG. 30- Anxiety after bad news or an emotional upset. The patient is weepy , touchy and needs company

SEPIA 200- Anxious towards evening. Dreads to be alone. Indifferent to those loved best. Averse to occupation , to family. Very sad. Weeps when telling symptoms

SILICEA 200--It's frequently used for generalized anxiety disorders, social phobias and specific phobias. Generally very nervous and timid patients who are afraid of stressful situations like public performances and exams, etc. They startle from the slightest noise due to nervousness. Marked anticipatory anxiety is an important feature of this drug

TUBERCULINUM 200- Tuberculinum is suitable when the child is restless who seek constant stimulation or change. It helps in reducing destructive behavior, irritability, and feeling of dissatisfaction.

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS 200- Thuja is one of the very good remedies for generalized anxiety disorders and obsessive compulsive neurosis. The patient generally gets anxious over trifles and cannot concentrate on whatever he does. He has many fixed ideas and he finds it difficult to get rid of them. Social phobia is also commonly seen in these patients who begin to get nervous and get twitching on being approached by strangers. Overall a very good drug for controlling anxiety states. 

SYPHILINUM 200-- An important feature of Syphilinum patients is that they repeatedly wash their hands and they feel compelled to do so in order to relieve their anxiety. Marked fear of night time, the patient dreads the approach of night. There is intense anxiety and a constant feeling that he may go insane

VERATRUM ALBUM 200-Veartrum Album is an indicated remedy in children who throw temper tantrums. There may be extreme mood swings and crankiness may alternate with a submissive behavior. The child may scream and curse when angry. Veratrum alb may be prescribed in children who get physically violent when angry. There may be an unusual tendency to tear or cut things during bouts of anger. The child may sit in an awkward position and become totally incommunicable.