HOMEOPATHY FOR GRIEF

Grief is a strong, sometimes overwhelming emotion for people, regardless of whether their sadness stems from the loss of a loved one or from a terminal diagnosis they or someone they loved have received.

They might find themselves feeling numb and removed from daily life, unable to carry on with regular duties while saddled with their sense of loss.

Grief is the natural reaction to loss. Grief is both a universal and a personal experience. Individual experiences of grief vary and are influenced by the nature of loss. Some examples of loss include the death of a loved one, the ending of an important relationship, job loss, loss through theft or the loss of independence through disability.

Stages of grief

The five stages of grief are:

Denial & Isolation: The first reaction to learning about the terminal illness, loss or death of a cherished loved one is to deny the reality of the situation. ‘This isn’t happening, this can’t be happening’, people often think. It is a normal reaction to rationalize overwhelming emotions. It is a defense mechanism that buffers the immediate shock of the loss. We block out the words and hide from the facts. This is a temporary response that carriers us through the first wave of pain.

Anger: As the masking effects of denial and isolation begin to wear, reality and its pain re-emerge. We are not ready. The intense emotion is deflected from our vulnerable core, redirected and expressed instead as anger. The anger may be aimed at inanimate objects, complete strangers, friends, or family. Anger may be directed to our dying or deceased loved one. Rationally, we know the person is not to be blamed. Emotionally, however, we may resent the person for causing us pain or for leaving us. We feel guilty for being angry, and this makes us angrier.

Bargaining: The normal reaction to feelings of helplessness and vulnerability is often a need to regain control-

·       If only we had sought medical attention sooner…

·       If only we got a second opinion from another doctor…

·       If only we had tried to be a better person toward them…

Secretly, we may make a deal with God or our higher power in an attempt to postpone the inevitable. This is weaker line of defense to protect us from the painful reality.

Depression: Two types of depression are associated with mourning. The first one is a reaction to practical implications relating to the loss. Sadness and regret predominate this type of depression. We worry about the costs and burial. We worry that, in our grief, we have spent less time with others that depend on us. This phase may be eased by simple clarification and reassurance. We may need a bit of helpful cooperation and a few kind words.

The second type of depression is more subtle and, in a sense, perhaps more private. It is our quiet preparation to separate and to bid our loved one farewell. Sometimes all we need is a hug.

Acceptance: Reaching this stage of mourning is a gift not afforded to everyone. Death may be sudden and unexpected or we may never see beyond our anger or denial. It is not necessarily a mark of bravery to resist the inevitable and to deny ourselves the opportunity to make our peace. This phase is marked by withdrawal and calm. This is not a period of happiness and must be distinguished from depression.

Symptoms

A person who is dealing with grief will most likely display some of the emotional and physical symptoms associated with grieving. These can include:

·       Increased irritability

·       Numbness

·       Bitterness

·       Detachment

·       Preoccupation with loss

·       Inability to show or experience joy

·       Digestive problems

·       Fatigue

·       Headaches

·       Chest pain

·       Sore muscles

Management

·       Behavior therapy

·       Drug treatment. Homoeopathy medicines.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a growing system and is being practiced all over the world. Its 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 GRIEF is concerned there are many effective medicines are available in Homoeopathy, but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient, considering the mental and physical symptoms.

ARSENICUM ALBUM

Anguish and restlessness. Mentally restless but physically too weak to move. Cannot rest in one place, changing places continually. Wants to be moved one bed to another, and lies now here, now there. Anxious fear of death. Thinks it is useless to take medicine, is incurable, is surely going to die. Dread of death when alone, on going to bed. Depression and sadness. Depression on account of hidden feeling or guilt. Sleep disturbed, anxious and restless.

AURUM METALLICUM

Profound depression. Depression leads to sadness and grief. Hopelessness. Disgust of life and thoughts of suicide. Talks of committing suicide. Great fear of death. Peevish and vehement at least contradiction.  Rapid and constant questioning without waiting for answers. Weeping, praying, and self-reproaching from heart disease. Hypersensitive to noise.  Feeling of self -condemnation and utter worthlessness. Chronic insomnia with depression. Restless sleep with frightful and anxious dreams.

CARCINOSIN

Grief from death of loved ones, or friends. Grief with indignation. History of emotional suppression and deep guilty feelings. Fears about health. Fear of getting cancer.

CAUSTICUM

Grief from death of loved ones or friends. Cry day and night. Melancholy mood.   Hopeless, despondent, wants to die. Ambitionless. Anxious forebodings, worse in twilight. Over sympathetic. Intense sympathy for the suffering of others.

COCCULUS INDICUS

Profound sadness. Easily offended, cannot bear contradiction. Very anxious about the health of others. Thoughts fixed on one unpleasant subject, sits as if absorbed in deep and sad thoughts and observes nothing about her.  Sudden great anxiety. Fear’s death and unknown dangers.

IGNATIA AMARA

Emotional state of grief from disappointment, disappointment love, death of loved ones or friends, after losing objects.  fright or bad news. Sighing and sobbing. Silently brooding. Desire to be alone.  Constantly frustrated. Irritable. Worse from consolation. Melancholic, sad and tearful. Sensation of a lump in the throat. Headache from grief.

NATRUM MURIATICUM

Grief from death of loved ones or friends. Depressed and introverted. Dwells on past unpleasant memories. Grief from offenses, from long past.  Fear of being rejected or hurt her emotionally. Thinks he is pitied for his misfortunes and weeps.   Consolation aggravates. Wants to be alone to cry. Cannot cry in front of others. Sleepless from sleep. Sobs during sleep. Headache and heart disease from grief.

PHOSPHORIC ACID

Weakness and debility. Mental debility first, later physical. Grief from home-sickness or separation of loved ones with inclination to weep. Indifferent to everything. Aversion to talking. Cannot collect his thoughts or find the right word. Difficult comprehension. Sleepy by day, hot and wakeful at night.

PULSATILLA NIGRICANS

Grief from business, in morning when thinking of it. Mild, timid, emotional, and tearful persons.  Changeable moods. Weeps easily. Grief and depression from hormonal changes. History of abandonment or grief. Fear of abandonment. Craves sympathy. Desires company. Cries easily. Wants cool, fresh, open air for relief.