spectrum of homeopathy
Anne Koller-Wilmking ¦
various remedies
Problem Children ¦
Cases of our time
6
What are problem children? I would prefer to avoid labeling
them in this negative way and instead look at them as excep-
tional kids, who occasionally present a special challenge to
their parents, those around them, and their homeopaths, for
whom their treatment – while it may be difficult – is generally
a very rewarding experience.
In this article, I would like to present a series of cases from my
practice, especially of children whose cases taught me a lot.
The cases are summarized, concentrating on the essential
details.
CASE 1: five-year-old Natascha, extremely prone to
infections, obesity, and recurrent stomach aches
of unknown origin, among other things
She also has multiple food allergies, principally to milk, and is
so extremely shy that she has trouble establishing social con-
tact. She is a loner with many fears, especially of the unknown.
She needs a lot of body contact and security, especially at night.
She sweats easily and has enlarged tonsils with swollen cervical
lymph nodes due to lymphatic diathesis. A dose of
Calcarea
carbonica
has no effect. At the second appointment, her mother
says that Natascha has been talking to imaginary friends
who she calls ‘gias’; these are her constant companions and
protectors. She talks to them on the phone, invites them for
breakfast, and wants them to always be there. She also asks
her parents to talk to the ‘gias’.
In the last few months, she has had a strong desire for fish,
especially salmon and scampi, and a severe urticaria-like rash
after drinking milk.
I remembered a seminar with Massimo Mangialavori (Bologna
2002) on the Sea remedies, in which he presented several
childhood cases, where the child developped real relationships
with their imaginary friends, otherwise very similar to Calcium
carbonicum, one of which was Homarus gammarus. I suspected
that this remedy could also be suitable for Natascha.
When I asked Natascha’s mother (who herself is often ill – she
has had three bouts of pneumonia) about the pregnancy, she
said in an ashamed way: “Don’t think I’m crazy but I’m like my
daughter. Even at my age, I still have my imaginary friends,
mine are called Henries.”
Anne Wolker-Wilmking (AW):
Tell me some more about
yourself!
Mother (M):
“That’s not so easy – you see, there’s an inner and
an outer.”
AW:
Please tell me more about that.
M:
“The inner is very protected. I wall it off from the outer and
there are only two or three exits to the outside. The outer has
formed over a long period of time. It’s solid but at the same
time soft; it goes from the inside to the outside, and it’s semi-
permeable. Now, it’s constantly getting thicker. The inner is
pink, soft, pulsating, full of life, tends to break out, sometimes
feels enclosed, then it gets very tight. There’s always a certain
pressure there. There are a few exits to the outside, like tubes,
going to the outside world. Eventually, the outer layer bursts in
several small spots due to the pressure and then, it sort of
gapes. It’s like casting off the skin. The inner absorbs a lot
through a gray-patterned membrane. Yes, and there’s a need
to camouflage. I (identification) then go into the ground, feel
surrounded by the swirling sand at the bottom of the sea in the
water; I feel afraid of the deep sea and often withdraw to a
cave. These protuberances become like pincers to grasp (Hand
gesture: HG), and the thing that’s gripped goes inward. Some
things are also spat out.”
Analysis:
the similarity to Calcarea, the imaginary friends, and
the food modalities direct me to Homarus gammarus for
Natascha.
Her mother confirmed the remedy when she went straight to
the source and described the lobster. Like her daughter, she
suffered a predisposition to infections, as well as severe milk
allergy. Mother and daughter have been taking their remedy
at long intervals in the potency M or XM for six years now.
Natascha has developed very well. Her shyness has diminished
and she is far more able to establish social contact. She is
healthy and her allergies are much better (she still avoids milk).
She is now attending secondary school and has lost weight.
She has significantly fewer fears. She still has her gias but she
Author ¦
Anne Koller-Wilmking
Summary:
this collection of cases demonstrates
the variety of methods that can lead to the simile in
the homeopathic treatment of problem children of
all ages. With small children, it often helps to take
the mother‘s case from her pregnancy, including
her sensations. In cases of severe pathology, the
homeopathic posology is especially important,
together with conventional medical treatments as
required.
keywords:
Alumina silicata, Asperger, attention
disorders, Baptisia, behavioral disorder, casetaking
of pregnancy, constipation, developmental disorder,
cutting, eating disorder, epilepsy, food allergy,
Homarus gammarus, hydrocephalus, Ignatia, Lac
felinum, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posology,
rheumatoid arthritis, Sinapis alba, Tuberculinum
