Homeopathy and Stress
For many people stress manifests in physical symptoms, like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, back pain, alopecia or skin conditions like psoriasis. Dealing with stress can be tricky, especially where there are maintaining causes for the stress, for example, where the stress has been triggered by a traumatic experience; on-going financial worries and debt; unemployment; business instability; caring for loved ones and so on. Emotional stress caused by grief, shock, abandonment, disappointment or major life changes, such as moving home can all become long term or chronic if not treated. Homeopathy can provide support for people experiencing all sorts of stress whether it be short term, such as exam nerves, or more prolonged stress which undermines health. It can help to rebalance the emotions.
In 2005 NHS guidance outlined that children under 18 should not be prescribed anti-depressants, yet 40,000 children are thought to be taking psychiatric drugs for depression, anxiety and other stress related problems. Thankfully, homeopathy is effective in people of all ages – from children who manifest their stress through behavioural problems and teenagers with loss of confidence through to adults going through marital breakdown or redundancy. Homeopathy takes into account the world of the patient: their family dynamics, their peer experiences and their subjective feelings. It takes a holistic approach to young people suffering from mental health problems and has a good track record of alleviating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
There is no single homeopathic remedy for stress. The remedy is chosen to match the individual and their response to the stress and especially where stress is chronic in nature (experienced for 3 months or more) it is best to consult a qualified homeopath. However, here are some remedies can useful for treating symptoms of stress.
Exam stress, panic attacks and phobias: For alleviating the stress of exam nerves and performance anxiety, especially for those who feel debilitated by overwork and who dislike appearing in public Ambra Grisea may be a good remedy. For panic attacks, or after a fright, where there is severe anxiety and restless, and even fear of death Aconite can often speed recovery and settle nerves. For those experiencing lots of phobias around crowds, narrow spaces, air travel, heights or falling Argentum Nitricum is often useful.
Work related stress: Lycopodium is a useful remedy for stress that features anxiety over issues of responsibility, performance at work and fear of failure. Physical symptoms associated with this may include a bloated sensation, wind and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Nux Vomica is a useful remedy for business anxiety, especially in very ambitious of driven people. This remedy is indicated when there is lots of impatience and irritability and a desire for stimulants (coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, spicy foods) a tendency to constipation or diarrhoea alternating with constipation.
Sleeplessness: Arsenicum album can be very helpful for someone who is kept awake at night by the mind going over and over anxious thoughts.
If you would like some advice or further information please contact us here at the Earlsdon Practice by completing the form on our contact page or call us on 02476 691100.