This Month is Mental Health Awareness Month
This Month is Mental Health Awareness Month.
It’s Green, It’s Holistic, It’s Natural, It’s growing,
….…. It’s Homeopathy
The green ribbon is the international symbol for mental health awareness.
Why not give Homeopathy a go for a Holistic approach for your mental health.
What is anxiety, and how do we know when we have it?
Most people will experience anxiety in some form, often considered acute or mild.
For acute cases, anxiety quickly passes, and life carries on, and it has little or no effect on our lives.
In more chronic or more severe cases, it begins to have a detrimental effect on our way of living.
When does Anxiety become an issue in Mental Health?
Anxiety becomes an issue, when the mind gets overwhelmed with thoughts, or when negative thoughts or fears become more present or more constant.
It’s when it starts affecting your daily life, your self-esteem, or your daily routines. It’s when it interferes with your everyday happiness and when easy tasks become more strenuous.
Perhaps you want to be on your own and don’t want to do anything. Maybe panic sets in for no apparent reason. Consistent worries, fear of death, or thoughts of losing control may be present.
Do you experience shaking or cold sweats? Do you fear a potential heart condition?
Above are some indicators that anxiety is apparent.
Homeopathy a Holistic Approach
Homeopathy is a complementary therapy, and it is worth mentioning that I do not use the word alternative.
It is complimentary because you can use Homeopathy alongside any existing drugs and other therapies.
It can also be used individually in many other situations. Here are some examples of what we can use homeopathy solely for; allergies, stress, colds & flu, aching muscles, grief, trauma and acne.
Where prescribed drugs are involved, it may take extra time for homeopathic remedies to push through and stimulate the systems’ balancing process.
Prescribed drugs use a chemical process that can mask the symptoms and alter an individual’s state. But they do not work on the holistic principle of the five collective systems of; body, mind, emotions, soul, and spirit.
Hence the remedies may need more time to establish a response in many cases.
Seven Significant Anxiety and Stress Remedies
Below is a list of Homeopathic remedies with their accompanying symptom pictures. These are considered seven significant remedies for Anxiety & Stress’*
1: Arsenicum album
-Restlessness – Losing Control – Fears Death – Future Health & Safety Concerns – Future Security Concerns – Critical & Controlling – Desires company – Neat and tidy types – Chilly & better for warmth – Nausea worse after midnight
2: Aconitum napellus
-Outright Panic & Panic attacks – Fear of Death – Strong Emotional Fears – Fears going out – Restless – Past Trauma – Rapid onset – Relief from cold water – Cold sweat during anxiety – Dryness
3: Argentum nitricum
-Apprehension & Fears – Anticipation & Agitated thoughts – Hurried & impatient – Thinks ‘What if…’ – Rapid walkers – Weakness in legs – Diarrhoea during anxiety – Craves Sugar – Worse when overheated
4: Gelsemium
– Appearing in Public – Stage fright – Nervous with Trembling Hands or legs – Health concerns – Helpless, wants to hide – Sadness – confusion of mind – Irritability, – diarrhoea
5. Calcarea carbonica
-Fears change & Losing control – Likes routine – Fears Dark, insects & dogs – Fears Death & misfortune – Sweating & Trembling – Hopelessness – Tires easily esp walking upstairs – Palpitations and Shuddering
6. Kali phosphoricum
-Overwhelmed – Easily Startled & Stressed – Worry irritability and exhaustion – Fatigue – Adverse to being alone – Fears breakdown – Weakness with Fatigued
7: Kali Arsenicosum:
– Anxious about Health esp Heart and Stroke- Restless – Difficulty breathing – prolongs going to bed – Panics – Worse at night –Difficulty breathing when going to bed – Feels Chilly
*The above is a general guideline to Homeopathic potentised remedies for Anxiety and Stress.
Homeopathic remedies have extended symptom pictures than what is mentioned above. Always refer to a qualified Homeopath before taking any Homeopathic remedies.
Your Choices - What can you do?
There comes a time when you want to express your inner feelings and thoughts, but people don’t listen or don’t understand. How then can you deal with it?
I think it’s vital for anyone experiencing Anxiety or Stress, to be able to express thoughts and feelings in a neutral and safe space.
Talking is a form of release. What later comes is a clearer picture of your thought patterns that can then be dealt with and managed accordingly.
Often people around you may not understand what you are going through. Be forgiving, as often they may not realise what you are experiencing and may not necessarily appreciate what’s going on.
When they begin to understand the severity of your anxiety or stress, you may be surprised at how supportive they can be. Just know support is at hand.
All therapists are not the same
It’s important for everyone to be aware that not all therapists are the same. Many therapists can help us cope. We are very fortunate that complementary therapies have grown so much in the past 30 years.
I feel homeopathy has a lot to offer. However, there are many other modalities available.
Therapies such as Counselling, CBT, Psychotherapy are also known to be beneficial too.
Other activities such as Qigong (Chi Kung), Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan), Yoga and gardening are all useful tools for anxiety.
My Experiences
I have seen several close family members suffer from mental health conditions. In one particular case, it was so severe that I devoted all of my spare time to a family member for over three months.
In other instances, I have been the support for people over the many years of ups and downs. I witnessed a lack of support from the GP and some family members.
I realised then the importance of a support network, as well as the lack of it in other areas.
What I realised was a need for Mental Health support in more ways than one. As a family member, a therapist and as a community member.
I now focus my homeopathy on Mental Health. The past family experiences of learning have been a blessing.
It has given me insights that I otherwise would never have gained.
In my Homeopathic sessions, I use the various skills that I have accumulated over the past 20 years.
Some of these skills include Meditation and breathing techniques of qigong, transpersonal-therapies, Buddhist philosophy and some shamanic principles.
Self Commitment
You will need to make a self-commitment to start your process of acceptance. You can then move forward and positively manage any anxious thoughts and symptoms.
There are many options for you to explore. Especially as we now have so many useful ways to benefit good health and happiness.
Find out what suits you because what works for one may not work for another. We are all unique! You have to choose what is right for you. When you make a choice, remember there is no pressure and do things at a pace that suits you.
Useful Tips
Here are my tips and suggestions to help you along the way
Taking regular walks and exercising regularly. Sleep is always important for health conditions. Having good nighttime rest is essential.
Reducing alcohol, better still, avoid alcohol as it sets off a chemical reaction that can be detrimental to mental health. Smoking is also another one for the list of reduction or quitting.
I also recommend eating well. Eating well encourages the body’s chemical balance and nurtures positive brain and body activity.
Water is also essential for the body. I recommend filtered and glass bottled water.
Support groups and blogs can also be a useful outlet for sharing and realising that you are not alone in your experiences.
This will enhances confidence and will help grow your support network.
Try sharing with people that you trust. Socialise where possible, enjoy the sunshine, green spaces and social times as much as you can.
James Lawrence MARH Rhom Homeopath Enfield, clinic at Keats Health. London Road. Find me on Facebook, Instagram, You Tube and at Shaolin Wahnam London