A case of Vanessa atalanta - the red admiral

H., a 57-year-old woman, presents with a severe rash in the genital area that is also spreading to the abdomen. It itches terribly, and when she scratches, wheals appear directly above the pubic hair. The more she scratches the more it itches; she scratches until it bleeds. She had these complaints many years ago; they recurred four years ago when her mother was dying. Over the past four years H. has buried both of her parents. After her mother died the rash initially disappeared, but it reappeared six months ago. She says she only slowly realises what is happening in her body; she keeps doing her work, "her stuff" tirelessly. She has not yet had an opportunity to properly mourn her father's death.

She is the head of a non-profit organisation for youth violence prevention. She has been retired for a month – she wants to find out what the death of her parents means to her. Major changes and painful loss. Her mother died of cancer; for 40 years she was repeatedly in hospital because of alcoholism and dependence on medication. Her father had a mesothelioma and was a well-functioning alcoholic. He served in the navy and was proud to be a veteran. At his funeral he was honoured with a 21-gun salute.

H. suffers from compulsive overeating and bulimia. She has been depressed all her life. She believes she displays the behaviour of a person with post-traumatic stress disorder. She has an outer self and an inner self – the inner one is three years old and says: "I don't deserve to live, I know nothing, I'm not pretty." She says this exactly like her mother; her self-esteem is completely dependent on the love of men. She cries during the consultation.

H. is in a relationship with a man. "I was married to my father, and I don't believe that now he is dead I have to remain married to him..." A friend told her that she had the rash "because she doesn't want to spread her legs." The relationship she is in is plagued by infidelity and lies. There is a power imbalance in the relationship – she puts up with him so that he will love her. He does not want to be seen with her in public.

Daddy's little girl

When she was little the world revolved exclusively around her father. But later there was a break and they were estranged for 25 years. When he was diagnosed with cancer she said: "I was in love with him like a little girl... He loved me. I am his child and he always protected me. I was in love with his greatness." H. went on: "I mourn my father and the man who did not show me what to expect from a man in an intimate relationship. I lack those skills." She said she knew she needed help – she has never emotionally grown up and is still like a "3 to 5-year-old child, a baby, a princess".

She loves butterflies and doesn't let her cats catch them.

Prescription: Red Admiral C 30.

Analysis:

It was extraordinary that a 57-year-old woman reported that she was in love with her father. This attachment to the father and the confusion between the daughter role and the role of romantic lover clearly point to the Red Admiral butterfly. Many other butterfly characteristics are also present:
- feeling abandoned and unprotected
- feeling like a child
- connection to death and mourning
- concern for children - her organisation is involved in protecting children from violence
- skin rash

Follow-ups

After 4 months: she is physically well. She and the man she had been with have separated. She is retired. Her ex recently came back and asked her to resume their sexual relationship, and the rash immediately flared up. She repeated the remedy and the rash disappeared again. She developed dreadful acne because she "feels like she's going through puberty!" She does yoga and writes every day; she is trying to be content with her life, even if she is "only there for herself". Her diet and eating are going well. She begins to build a relationship with a former friend. She recognises that it is possible to be with someone she likes.

Photos:
Admiral, Vanessa atalanta; Jacob Hübner (1761-1826)
Categories: Cases
Keywords: rash in the genital area, post-traumatic stress disorder, attachment to the father, abandonment, preoccupation with death and mourning
Remedy: Vanessa atalanta