Homeopathy and Dpression

         Depression

The silent killer of old age

       World wise statistics shows that among all psychological disorder depression is the commonest silent killer in geriatrics.

What is depression ?

A disorder characterized by feeling sadness and despair and raring in severity from mild to life threatening .

 Causes of depression in the elderly –

· Abuse of alcohol

· Some prescribed medications like anti Hypersensitive, cocaine or other illicit drugs.

· Certain medical condition may trigger depression like heart attack, stroke , cancer, diabetes mellitus etc..

 Psychological risk factors of depression –

· Loneliness.

· Feeling of loss of identity.

· Certain fears.

 Social risk factors -

· Recent bereavement like death of friend , family members, pets

· Lower income.

· Deprived of dignity, responsibility result in self devaluation and self deterisation .

 Sign and Symptoms:-

 - Chronic and persistent dysphoria (restless& malaise)

- Dysthymic disorder – Depressed mood along with sleep disorders, diminished appetite, feeling of hopelessness, lethargy etc.

- Major depression (may be with or without melancholia).Wight loss, psychometer thoughts, poor concentration, feeling of guilt etc. All this manifestations are significantly worse in the morning. There may be delusion or guilt about the past action or events.

- Hormonal imbalance

- Thyroid problems Vitamin B12 deficiency

- Other nutritional deficiency

- Electronic imbalance or dehydration.

 Counseling and Psychotherapy –

Studies have found that psychotherapy as well as medication work in relieving mild to moderate depression.

 Suppurtive counseling including religious and poor counseling. It can help ease loneliness and the hopelessness of depression.

 Psychotherapy helps people work through stressful life heal from losses and process difficult emotions and also help a person to integrate the previously confused energy operating within them and to rediscover their individual ability to creative.

 Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps people change negative thinking pasterns deal with problems in healthy ways and develop better coping skills.

 Supports groups for depression illness or bereavement connect people with other who going through the small challenges.

 Homeopathic management:-

Disease like depression occurs when the energy pattern of one system dose not fit and may conflict with that of another.

The two disciplineswith homeopathy & Psychotherapy come much nearer than any therapy. We suggest that homeopathic remedies work by helping to re-align such patterns of action, bringing them into a more balance state. Homeopathy is based on assessing the individual picture of patient and finding specific similar remedy. Homeopathy is form of first to last an art of individualizing.

 Homeopathic medicines:-

Aurum Metallicum –

This remedy has mark depression and melancholia especially in old age who remain separated from family. Aurum patients long to see one's relation, resembling nostalgia, hopelessness often drives the idea for suicide and life is a constant burden alternate guilty and Irritability with melancholy , often suffers from anxious palpitation, chest pain and even heart block like complaint . Also indicated in hypertension of the old age due to arteriosclerotic changes.

 Arsenicum Album –

This remedy is suited on religious melancholy, sadness where the person cries with complaints. There may be fear, fright and worry.

Person becomes very restless with feel of death. He find no rest anywhere especially at night. Burning with frequent thirst.

 Baryta carbonica –

Specially adapted to old peoples who are childish having mental weakness and senile dementia. Patient always remains sad, gloomy lachrymose mood with repugnance to strangers or society. It accelerates heart actions.

 Lycopodium –

Although the person is intellectually keen but having depression & hopelessness about the future, very nervous of any unusual event. The face is often lined and shows fibrillary twitching of alae nasi. The patients are usually troubles with flatulence.