HOMOEOPATHY FOR SCHOOL PHOBIA

School phobia is when your child is very nervous and refuses to go to school. It is also called school avoidance. A phobia is a strong fear of something for no obvious reason. Phobias can cause very bad anxiety or panic attacks. School phobias are common when children start school between 5 to 7 years of age. But, adolescents can also have school phobia. School phobia sometimes starts after a child has been absent from school for a vacation or an illness.

This fear of going to school can be very stressful for your child and for you. But school phobia can be treated successfully . School phobia can cause anxiety or depression later in life.

Causes

One of the reasons why your child have school phobia is that your child may be afraid to be separated from you. This is called separation anxiety. Also, if you are upset about being separated from your child , your child might start to fear going to school. Causes can also related to home and school.

Home causes :

·         Illness, accident or death of a family member.

·         Divorce

·         New baby

·         Family move

School causes

·         Fear of mean teachers or other students

·         Fear of undressing or showering in front of other people for gym class

Signs and Symptoms

·         Your child may cry to stay home when it is time foe school. You may be unable to get your child to leave the house to go to school. He may run away from the school and return home when he is forced to go to school. Your child may have a panic attack with sweating, dizziness, racing heart, vomiting, diarrhea, or shaking. School phobia may get in the way of your child’s normal activities.

·         Your child may have headaches, upset stomach, diarrhea or body aches when he thinks about school. Your child may be sad and not want to be around others. He may be unable to pay attention to work or play.

Tips to overcome school phobia

Treating school phobia as a mental health issue and not a passing phase is important to overcome it. Forcing child to go to school , could make things worse.

Parents can implement strategies at home and talk with a mental health professional to help their child  create plan that works best for them.

·         Have a non –threatening conversation—An honest conversation can reveal things going on in school or other stressors that are causing severe anxieties. You should refrain from judging and instead share your own experiences and sympathy, and discuss ways to deal with the issue.

·         Practice relaxation exercises--Meditation , deep breathing, and visualization are excellent tools to reduce anxiety. Help your child find music, books, or guided medications that they can listen to every day before school or even during school.

·         Establish a routine—Just like when they were little teens also appreciate structure and routine. Encourage your teenager to get enough rest by determining a nightly bedtime , and establish a morning routine that will help them prepare for the school day.

·         Many teens who were struggle with school phobia end up withdrawing from socializing . Encourage them to stay involved in  social activities, so that they can still benefit from these sources of positivity and support.

·         Communication with teachers and administrators—Be sure teachers and administrators know about the situation and communicate ways that they can be active supporters.

·         Access help from mental health professional—Mental health professional can help you evaluate the full picture of your child’s situation and recommend the best course of treatment. A full evaluation of a mental health professional will also show whether or not teens are suffering from a greater mental issue, such as social anxiety disorder. They can determine whether your teenager may benefit from treatment likes: Meditation; Cognitive behavior therapy; Individual therapy; Family therapy. Furthermore they can also help teens develop social skills and practice exercises to use when certain things trigger their anxieties.  Also mental health professionals can help you with your teen’s school officials create a re-entry plan for school, if necessary.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When school phobia   is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

BARYTA CARBONICA 200—Baryta carbonica is one of the leading remedies for school phobia where the fear is due to their slow mental grasp and learning disabilities. They fear they are ridiculed by others in class room. Poor memory. They suffer from loss of memory, mental weakness.  Children cannot remember to learn. Child does not want to play , but sits in the corner doing nothing. Slow in all developments –slow to walk, talk, read, speak or mature.

BISMUTHUM 200—Bismuthum is another best remedy for school phobia , where the child holds on to its mother’s hand, a strong fear of school. They suffer from acute stomach pain due this phobia. Craving to cold drinks is characteristic to Bismuthum.

CALCAREA CARONICA 200—Calcarea carb is suited to fat, fair and flabby child , catches cold very easily. They are forgetful, confused, misplaces words, and expresses himself wrong. Fears of being observed.Dull lethargic children who do not want to play.  They prefer safety to high risk behaviors. They are cautious. They prefer indigestible things like dirt, chalk, coal, pencil etc. Craving for eggs is characteristic to Calcarea carb. Profuse sweating during sleep  , especially head and chest.

CALCAREA PHOSPHORICA 200—Calcarea phos child is often  suffering from school headaches and stomach pain, a reason for school phobia. It is a remedy for bad effects of mental strain , such as headaches in school children of weak intelligence. Children are peevish and fretful, difficulty in performing intellectual operationsThey are dull , obtuse having poor memory. Feeble minded children unable to sustained mental work. They  often suffer from fractures and growing pains  due to poor nutrition . Also they often suffer from enlarged glands. They have a craving for bacon, ham, salted or smoked meats. 

PULSATILLA NIGRICANS 200---Pulsatilla  child is dainty looking with fine skin and hair. They are mild, timid, emotional and tearful. They tend to weep easily. Craves sympathy and attention. Changeable nature is another leading symptom of Pulsatilla. Their digestive system is easily disturbed by rich foods, fats, pork, pastries, desserts, ice creams etc. Thirstlessness is another characteristic symptom of Pulsatilla. All complaints are better from open air.

TUBERCULINUM 200-Tuberculinum is indicated for very sensitive, mentally and physically children. Mentally deficient children. Great nervous weakness. Rapid emaciation of the body. Catch cold very easily. Diarrhea in children running for weeks. Poor appetite. Desire for cold milk. Tubercular history.