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Case 1
P.K. is a 15-year-old boy with severe anxiety. His diagnosis is Asperger syndrome (Asperger syndrome is a variant of autism) and sensory integration disorder. His medical history includes asthma and allergies to dairy products and peanuts.
At first glance he appears very pleasant and likeable. He is full of nervous energy; he fidgets in his seat and his hands and feet are constantly in motion, as if he were plugged into a socket. He has always been like this for as long as his parents can remember. At school he has been considered disruptive and easily distracted from the start. Anxiety is always just beneath the surface and becomes particularly pronounced in exam situations: he dreads exams and becomes overwhelmed at the thought of them. He talks in his sleep, tosses and turns in bed and often wakes at night.
The paediatrician wants to prescribe fluoxetine to help his anxiety. Despite all his fears, he has a certain self-assurance and seems fairly assertive. Socialising with his peers presents many challenges for him. He takes everything very personally and becomes upset as a result. He then needs to remove himself from the situation, otherwise he can become quite aggressive. He is often intolerant of other children. At other times he withdraws from everyone.
His autism makes him a slave to routines; he needs rituals. He likes to plan everything meticulously in advance in order to feel he has control. When this is not possible he can feel extremely insecure and build up aggression. His parents give him security, and he is distressed when they go away. In his free time he listens to a lot of music. He is interested in environmental issues and loves animals.
He has a high degree of sensory sensitivity, which is common in ADHD: labels must be removed from his clothing; his sense of smell and hearing are hypersensitive; mushy food triggers his gag reflex. When he is anxious he becomes talkative and sweats heavily.
Further symptoms: restless sleep, feet become hot in bed, heat and heavy sweating at night.
Dairy products <
Craving for sugar <
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Analysis
The symptoms limiting the patient in this case — anxiety, obsessive-compulsive traits, insecurity and restlessness — point to Arsenicum, more specifically to an arsenic compound that is not icy but temperamental and unpredictable.
DD: Arsenicum jodatum and Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum
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“His assertiveness and his communicative nature pointed me more towards the Sulphur aspect. He also tends more towards weight gain than the weight loss seen with the iodine remedies.
Vithoulkas says of Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum: „They are extremely delicate, very sensitive to criticism from others and easily offended. They take everything too seriously, are hurt without reason and look for quarrels, lose control and become easily angry.“ |
| Prescription: Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum C 12 dil., daily, using the plussing method |
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Follow-up
Four weeks later: P.K. became much more relaxed and focused soon after the remedy was given. He feels much more comfortable with himself and reacts more peacefully in situations that would normally completely unsettle him. He is sweating somewhat less. However, after a few weeks he again felt less relaxed and the nervousness crept back in. |
Prescription: Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum C 18
One week later (by telephone): He was very restless and disturbed, hyperactive and quarrelsome after the remedy; this was a difficult situation for the family. |
| Prescription: Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum C 12, single dose |
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Four weeks later: on Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum C 12 there was an immediate improvement, which continued after two further daily doses. His inner calm has returned; he has fewer outbursts of anger and is not so nervous. He saw the paediatrician, who was very surprised by the change and acknowledged the improvement from the remedy.
Six months later: he is doing very well on the C 12, but recently the earlier symptoms have begun to creep back in.
Prescription: Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum Q1 every other day
Eighteen months later: with Q1 he is back on form and has further improved with Q2. After 18 months of homeopathic treatment he is a happy boy, aware of both his academic and social abilities. He is no longer paralysed by his fears. |
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Case 2
K.T. is 9 years old. Her symptom is recurrent tonsillitis with occasional episodes of sore throat. She also suffers from severe anxiety. |
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K.T. is slim and fair-haired. She comes with her mother and barely looks at me; when she does look in my direction she looks suspicious. She is very shy and anxious. I try to coax a smile, but she won't have it. She has a strong presence. At present she repeatedly suffers episodes of tonsillitis. She feels weak and her vitality is low. |
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At the second part of the consultation only her mother is present, so I get a clearer picture of her situation.
She has always been a rather tense little thing and has always been very distrustful of men. She places high demands on herself regarding schoolwork and can be quite hard on herself. Her kindergarten teacher says she is unusually compassionate when other children suffer. She is also very caring and loving towards animals and has a small “menagerie” at home. She is deeply affected when she is reprimanded. She does not particularly like going to school and prefers to be at home.
I ask in detail about her anxiety. There is always some anxiety throughout the day, but it becomes significantly worse in the evening and at night. Often she feels as though eyes are watching her, and her greatest fear is that someone will break into the house. She feels generally unsafe, though she feels somewhat safer in her room when she is doing something creative. She often has anxious dreams and her head becomes hot at night. Music helps her and she likes to dance. |
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Analysis
This case shows many characteristics of Carcinosinum, but the most important symptoms are her anxiety and the feeling of being watched, which is very specific. She needs a remedy that covers all these aspects. |
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Rubrics
Delusion: being watched
Fear of robbers
Suspicious
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DD: Arsenicum, Barium carbonicum, Calcium, Hyoscyamus, Natrium mur., Phosphor.
The closest remedy is Arsenicum. I chose Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum because I have found that this remedy works well in children with Carcinosinum characteristics.
Prescription: Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum C 12, 1 drop once daily (plussing method) |
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Follow-up
Four weeks later: the anxiety about not being safe has much improved. She is no longer afraid of burglars and no longer feels watched. Her energy and appetite have noticeably improved. |
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Prescription: Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum C 12, 1 drop once daily (plussing method)
Four weeks later: the anxiety continues to lessen. No recurrence of tonsillitis or sore throat. She shows more affection towards her family. |
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Prescription: Remedy as needed
Three months later: slight recurrence of anxiety. No relapse of tonsillitis or streptococcal infection. Vitality is good. |
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Prescription: Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum C 15 once daily
Five months later: she is doing very well. She has very little anxiety left and is becoming more assertive; she also smiles more often.
Prescription: Remedy only as needed |
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Case 3
KW is a six-year-old boy referred by his GP. He has problems with oppositional behaviour, and his constant temper outbursts are a real challenge for his family.
At our first meeting K. is rather shy and nervous. He is slight and looks very serious.
He has always been a sensitive soul, a trait probably exacerbated by the death of his childminder when he was three.
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His mother says that when he is well he is very loving, tender and happy, but his temper tantrums have become increasingly frequent recently. He can become very abusive and hurtful. He is excessively sensitive to noise and touch, especially on the head; he hates having his hair cut or washed. He needs a regular daily routine and must have everything planned in advance. |
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You have to treat him like a raw egg; you never know when he will next lose his temper. He hates changes and must know in advance what will happen. Reprimands cut him deeply and it takes him a long time to get over them.
He is very careful in his work. He likes to build things and does everything exactly according to his plans. His mother says he is a perfectionist like his father.
During his outbursts it seems the world might collapse. It takes a while for him to calm down, but then he is very remorseful. He has a group of friends he gets on well with. He is very fond of animals and enjoys spending his time with them.
He is afraid of burglars and of being alone in the house; he always wants someone with him. He often has nightmares. He likes collecting bits and pieces.
Other symptoms: nocturnal teeth grinding, thirst at night, foot odour
Craving: white chocolate |
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Analysis
He is an anxious child and his fear of burglary/robbers and his perfectionism indicate Arsenicum. The Sulphur aspect is shown in his oppositional behaviour, his collecting tendency and the foot odour. |
Rubrics
Fear of being alone
Fear of robbers
Conscientious
Grinding of teeth in sleep |
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DD: Arsenicum, Belladonna, Lycopodium, Phosphor, Stramonium, Veratrum
His fear of burglary/robbers and his perfectionism indicate Arsenicum. The Sulphur aspect is seen in his opposition, his hoarding and the foot odour.
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| Prescription: Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum C 12, 1 drop once daily (plussing method) |
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Follow-up
Four weeks later: his mother reports a dramatic turn for the better. There have been few setbacks and he is now much more balanced. His anxiety has markedly decreased. He grinds his teeth less. |
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Prescription: Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum C 12, 1 drop once daily (plussing method)
Four weeks later: the improvement continues. He is less tense about changes and his excessive sensitivity has reduced. He has become more empathetic and hates to see someone suffer. |
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Prescription: Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum C 15, 1 drop once daily (plussing method)
Four weeks later: anxiety, hypersensitivity and teeth grinding have recurred. |
Plan: wait.
No change after the waiting period. |
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Prescription: Arsenicum flavum sulfuricum C 18, 1 drop once daily (plussing method)
Three weeks later: the symptoms improved further and he is well. |
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Comment
These are always emotionally and physically hypersensitive children who have responded well to this remedy. They lack normal boundaries to protect them from external influences (DD: Phosphor), and some reacted extremely angrily when their security was threatened. In my experience it has worked well in children with many Carcinosinum traits who appear likeable, are sensitive to criticism and fond of animals, but who also show Arsenicum-type anxiety and compulsiveness as their deepest symptoms. When repertorising these cases one will usually come to Arsenicum album, but this remedy may not adequately cover the case in some circumstances.
When sensitivity, compulsiveness and anxiety occur together, Arsenicum sulfuratum flavum is a helpful remedy for children of the autistic spectrum. |
