HOMEOPATHY FOR SCHIZOPHRENIASchizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder. It affects about 1 percent of people all over the world. People with schizophrenia may hear voices other people dont hear or believe that others are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. These experiences are terrifying and can cause fearfulness, withdrawal, or extreme agitation. People with schizophrenia may not make sense when they talk, may sit for hours without moving or talking much, or can seem perfectly fine until they talk about what they are really thinking. Since many people with schizophrenia have difficulty holding a job or caring for themselves, the burden on their families and society is significant as well.Schizophrenia is a major mental illness characterized by persistent defects in the perception or expression of reality. A person suffering from untreated schizophrenia typically demonstrates grossly disorganized thinking, and may also experience delusions or auditory hallucinations. Although the illness primarily affects cognition, it can also contribute to chronic problems with behavior or emotions. Schizophrenia may develop so gradually that the family and even the person with the disease may not realize that anything is wrong for a long period of time. This slow deterioration is referred to as gradual-onset or insidious schizophrenia. A gradual build-up of symptoms may or may not lead to an acute or crisis episode of schizophrenia. An acute episode is short and intense, and involves hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder, and an altered sense of self. Sometimes schizophrenia has a rapid or sudden onset. Very dramatic changes in behaviour occur over a few weeks or even a few days. Sudden onset usually leads fairly quickly to an acute episode. Some people have very few such attacks in a lifetime; others have more. Some people lead relatively normal lives between episodes. Others find that they are very listless. depressed, and unable to function well. In some, the illness may develop into what is known as chronic schizophrenia. This is a severe, long-lasting disability characterized by social withdrawal, lack of motivation, depression, and blunted feelings. In addition, moderate versions of acute symptoms such as delusions and thought disorder may be present in the chronic disorder. There are 5 recognized types of schizophrenia: catatonic, paranoid, disorganized, undifferentiated, and residual. Features of schizophrenia include its typical onset before the age of 45, continuous presence of symptoms for 6 months or more, and deterioration from a prior level of social and occupational functioning.People with schizophrenia may show a variety of symptoms. Usually the illness develops slowly over months or even years. At first, the symptoms may not be noticed. For example, people may feel tense, may have trouble sleeping, or have trouble concentrating. They become isolated and withdrawn, and they do not make or keep friends. As the illness progresses, psychotic symptoms develop: Delusions - false beliefs or thoughts with no basis in reality Hallucinations - hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there Disordered thinking - thoughts jump between completely unrelated topics (the person may talk nonsense) Catatonic behavior - bizarre motor behavior marked by a decrease in reactivity to the environment, or hyperactivity that is unrelated to stimulus Flat affect - an appearance or mood that shows no emotion No single characteristic is present in all types of schizophrenia. The risk factors include a family history of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia appears to occur in equal rates among men and women, but women have a later onset. For this reason, males tend to account for more than half of patients in services with high proportions of young adults. Although the onset of schizophrenia is typically in young adulthood, cases of the disorder with a late onset (over 45 years) are known. Childhood-onset schizophrenia begins after the age of 5 and, in most cases, after relatively normal development. Childhood schizophrenia is rare and can be difficult to differentiate from other pervasive developmental disorders of childhood, such as autism. No one symptom positively identifies schizophrenia. All of the symptoms of this illness can also be found in other brain disorders. For example psychotic symptoms may be caused by the use of drugs, may be present in individuals with Alzheimers Disease, or may be characteristics of a manic episode in bipolar disorder. However, when a doctor sees the symptoms of schizophrenia and carefully asseses the history and the course of the illness over six months, he or she can almost always make a correct diagnosis. The symptoms of schizophrenia are generally divided into three categories, including positive, disorganized and negative symptoms. Positive Symptoms, or psychotic symptoms, include delusions and hallucinations because the patient has lost touch with reality in certain important ways. Positive as used here does not mean good. Rather, it refers to having overt symptoms that should not be there. Delusions cause the patient to believe that people are reading their thoughts or plotting against them, that others are secretly monitoring and threatening them, or that they can control other peoples minds. Hallucinations cause people to hear or see things that are not there. Disorganized Symptoms include confused thinking and speech, and behavior that does not make sense. For example, people with schizophrenia sometimes have trouble communicating in coherent sentences or carrying on conversations with others; move more slowly, repeat rhythmic gestures or make movements such as walking in circles or pacing; and have difficulty making sense of everyday sights, sounds and feelings. Negative Symptoms include emotional flatness or lack of expression, an inability to start and follow through with activities, speech that is brief and lacks content, and a lack of pleasure or interest in life. Negative does not, therefore, refer to a persons attitude, but to a lack of certain characteristics that should be there. Schizophrenia is also associated with changes in cognition. These changes affect the ability to remember and to plan for achieving goals. Also, attention and motivation are diminished. The cognitive problems of schizophrenia may be important factors in long term outcome. Schizophrenia also affects mood. Many individuals affected with schizophrenia become depressed, and some individuals also have apparent mood swings and even bipolar-like states. When mood instability is a major feature of the illness, it is called,schizoaffective disorder, meaning that elements of schizophrenia and mood disorders are prominently displayed by the same individual. Scientists still do not know the specific causes of schizophrenia, but research has shown that the brains of people with schizophrenia are different, as a group, from the brains of people without the illness. Like many other medical illnesses such as cancer or diabetes, schizophrenia seems to be caused by a combination of problems including genetic vulnerability and environmental factors that occur during a persons development. Recent research has identified the first genes that appear to increase risk for schizophrenia. Like cancer and diabetes, the genes only increase the chances of becoming ill, and do not cause the illness all by themselves. During an acute episode of schizophrenia, hospitalization is often required to promote safety, and to provide for the persons basic needs such as food, rest, and hygiene. Antipsychotic or neuroleptic medications work by changing the balances of chemicals in the brain and are used to control the symptoms of the illness. These medications are effective, but are also associated with side effects that may discourage a patient from taking them regularly. However, many of these side effects can be addressed, and should not prevent people from seeking treatment for this serious condition. Common side effects from traditional antipsychotics may include sedation and weight gain. Other side effects are known as extrapyramidal symptoms (muscle contractions, problems of movement and gait, and feelings of restlessness or jitters). Long-term risks include a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia, which involves involuntary movements. Newer agents known as atypical antipsychotics, appear to have a somewhat safer regarding side effects. They also appear to help people who have not benefited from the older traditional medications. Ongoing treatment with medications is usually necessary to prevent a return of symptoms. Supportive and problem-focused forms of psychotherapy may be helpful for many individuals. Behavioral techniques, such as social skills training, can be used in a therapeutic setting, or in the patients natural environment to promote social and occupational functioning. Family interventions that combine support and education about schizophrenia (psychoeducation) appear to help families cope and reduce relapse. Patients who lack family and social support may be helped by intensive case management programs that emphasize active outreach and linkage to a range of community support services. There are many different potential outcomes of schizophrenia. Most people with schizophrenia find that their symptoms improve with medication, and some achieve substantial control of the symptoms over time. However, others experience functional disability and are at risk for repeated acute episodes, particularly during the early stages of the illness. Supported housing, vocational rehabilitation, and other community support programs may be essential to their community tenure. People with the most severe forms of this disorder may remain too disabled to live independently, requiring group homes or other long-term, structured living environments. Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic medicines are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. Following homeopathic medicines cover symptoms of various types and stages of schizophrenia: Lachesis, Ars-alb, Aurum-met, Hyoscyamus, Lycopodium, Pulsatilla, Stramonium, Sulphur, Aconite, Belladona, Ignatia, Merc-sol, Psorinum, Rhus-tox, Anacardium, Calc-carb, Causticum, Cimicifuga, Helleborus, Kali-brom, Natrum-sulph, Opium, Sepia, Aurum-mur, Cannabis-indica etc. * Medicines indicated in Blue Color may prove especially useful in sudden onset schizophrenia and acute crisis of schizophrenia, depending upon the symptom presentation. ** Medicines indicated in Red Color may prove especially useful if depression and suicidal tendencies are marked. *** Medicines indicated in Green Color may prove especially useful if flat-effect is marked. Homeopathic medicines are selected on the basis of symptoms, cause, family history and constitution of the person affected. Considering all these factors any of the above (or some other) homeopathic medicine may be indicated and helpful in a case of schizophrenia.

NEEPA SEVAKAbout this contributorMore articles under this columnHomeopathic Approach to SchizophreniaPsychological illnesses are one of the foremost health concerns today. In olden days, when the term Schizophrenia was unknown, those suffering from this illness were thought to be possessed by evil spirits and were teased, feared or tortured. Schizophrenia is a mentally distressing biological illness that may result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, leading to an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that causes messages in the brain to mix up. People with Schizophrenia are split up from reality and cannot tell between real and unreal, due to which they often come across challenges when it comes to their friends and family.Types of Schizophrenia: Paranoid Schizophrenic These individuals are very skeptical of others, and are delusional of being wronged or plotted against. Disorganized Schizophrenic These individuals are restless, emotionless, verbally illogical and absurd. Catatonic Schizophrenic These individuals are very pessimistic, secluded and present abnormal behavior. They can become fixated in a single position for a long time. Undifferentiated Schizophrenic These individuals exhibit psychotic signs with absolute loss of contact with reality. Residual Schizophrenic These individuals do not hallucinate, but are suicidal with no interest in life.Causes of Schizophrenia: Hereditary. Any severe infection faced during intrauterine development and birth. Exposure to lead, X-ray radiation, alcohol, drugs like Marijuana. Low Folic Acid levels, Genital herpes in pregnant women, Maternal fetal Rh blood incompatibility increases the risk of developing Schizophrenia in offsprings. Child abuse physical, emotional and sexual. Stressful life events. Childhood exposure to cats with the T. Gondi parasite.Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Difficulty comprehending the difference between real and unreal. Dilemma with rational thinking and behaving in social situations. Immature behaviors. Violent speech and behavior. Social isolation. Delusions (false ideas) of being controlled by outside forces, scrutinized or being plotted against. Hallucinations (false perceptions) such as hearing imaginary voices, seeing imaginary things. Lack of emotions or wrong display of emotions. Problems with intellectual functioning and remembering simple tasks. Difficulty managing day to day life. Difficulty with personal hygiene. Sitting in one place without moving, talking or uncoordinated bodily movements. Loss of appetite. Anxiety. Depression leading to substance abuse or even suicide.Homeopathic approach to Schizophrenia:Homeopathy is an uprising healing modality in the treatment of all types of psychological illnesses including Schizophrenia. Homeopathy treats the person as a whole, which means that it focuses on the patients body, mind, emotions and the pathological condition. Homeopathy is the most promising, nontoxic, gentle and established modality approach to psychological ailments. In view of the fact, that it works with the persons self healing ability towards equilibrium and healing, it influences the brain chemistry and assists the patient in resuming psychological strength and symmetry. In conclusion, the Homeopathic understanding of health believes that body and mind are dynamically interconnected and that both directly influence each other. Homeopathic treatment will relieve the symptoms of Schizophrenia giving the patient an improved awareness of their disease and a deeper self-consciousness, thus contributing to permit the patient a healthier quality of life.Some Homeopathic remedies that are commonly used in Schizophrenia are given below. These remedies are just a few of the commonly used Homeopathic remedies and are mentioned only to create awareness about the effectiveness of Homeopathic medicines in Schizophrenia. It is not advisable to resort to self-medication for any disease.Homeopathic remedies for Schizophrenia:Anacardium:This is an excellent remedy for patients who consider themselves Clairvoyant, have delusions that they are possessed of two persons or wills, they hear voices of the dead, are anxious when walking as if pursued. They have fixed ideas, are verbally violent, suspicious, wicked, absent minded and have no moral restraint.Aurum Metallicum:This remedy is recommended when there is an immense desire to commit suicide but with tremendous fear of death, with feelings of hopelessness and self destruction. They fear people, are depressed, oversensitive to noise, have an unusual sexual excitement and hallucinate fiery objects with upper half invisible.Cannabis Indica:This remedy is indicated when hallucinations and all emotions are exaggerated to the paramount degree, exaggeration of the extent of space, duration of the time which seems too long, even seconds seems ages. The patient is in a subconscious or dual nature state, is exceptionally happy and contented with nothing bothering them. Patient seems maniac with constant movement, very forgetful cannot even finish a sentence, is lost in delirious thoughts with uncontrollable laughter and unable to recognize their own identity. All symptoms are worse from coffee, alcohol and tobacco.Helleborus Niger:This remedy works proficiently on patients with marked muscular weakness, imperfection in everything, picks lips, clothes and are slow in answering. Symptoms usually get worse from 4 pm to 8 pm. Patient screams suddenly, rolls head all the time with involuntary motion of one arm and leg, gives a vacant look and eats greedily with an aversion to food.Hyoscyamus:This remedy is advised in Schizophrenic patients who have a quarrelsome and indecent character, are delirious, hear voices, desire to go around naked, are very talkative, arrogant in acts, gestures and expressions, are jealous, suspicious and afraid of being poisoned.Stramonium:This is an outstanding remedy for Schizophrenic patients, who have a constant feeling as if limbs were separated from their body. These patients are very talkative but stammer, see ghosts, hear voices and talk with spirits. They are very violent and have delusions about their identity, think they are tall, double and have a part missing. Have an invariable desire to escape with religious mania. Always complain of darkness and call for light, small objects look large, all objects look black and parts of the body seem swollen. Men needing this remedy are sexually very sensitive, easily stimulated with indecent speech and action, hands are constantly on genitals. All symptoms get worse in a dark room, when alone and when looking at bright objects.Self measures of dealing with a Schizophrenic patient: Speak slowly & clearly, do not shout or express frustration to Schizophrenic patients. Provide structure & instructions, as these patients need a predictable routine and structure in their lives. Be friendly, encouraging, listen to them, include them and treat them with respect. Avoid being critical and putting them into unpleasant situations.Hence, consider Homeopathic constitutional treatment and improve your quality of life with a healthier long term prognosis of Schizophrenic disorder.patanjali

Posts:1Registered:05/24/11

schizophrenia and homeopathyPosted: May 25, 2011 4:04 AM

Sir,My daughter has suffered from schizophrenia for the last eight years. for the first four years, the psychiatrist used multimedicines.Though the medicines helped her, there were spells of anxiety and other side effects as ,tremors.so we changed the psychiatrist and the doctor gave only CLOZAPIN. starting with 25mg,the dcotor increased to 400mg and my daughter has become stable.Though she is stable, there were side effects as morning drowsiness , bedwetting, drooling in her mouth when she sleeps, obesity ,constipation etc.she has been on clozapin for the last four years. to get out of side effects, we started using homeopathy since 2009 april in addition to clozapin. the homeo suited her and we started to taper clozapin.In the last two years, starting with 400mg of clozapin,we tapered to 25mg of clozapin.I she is stable at 25mg.In the last four years, she learned art for two years,she attended daycare center for one year, and for the last one year she has been working with an NGO.My question is should 25 mg be her maintanance dosage. My homeopathy dpctor says we should be able to take off clozapin completely and homeo medicine couldbe given as maintaannace dosage and it could be tapered to zero in course of time.Could we trust homeo doctor?can we stop using clozapin completely, as we have been using for the last four years?is a drug necessary even after eight years?I will be grateful for a proper reply.Edited by: patanjali on May 25, 2011 4:09 AM

Re: schizophrenia and homeopathyPosted: May 27, 2011 7:19 AM in response to:patanjali

HIWHERE YOU LIVE IN INDIA ? I ALSO BELIEVE THAT HOMOPATHY IS EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE. COULD YOU PLEASE PROVIDE ME THE CONTACT NUMBER OF THE HOMOPATHIC DOCTOR FORM WHICH YOU ARE TAKING THE TREATMENT FOR YOUR DAUGHTER ?

prateek_1986

Posts:1Registered:08/19/11

Re: schizophrenia and homeopathyPosted: Aug 19, 2011 3:51 AM in response to:hopbest

I also heard that homeopathy is best for mental illnesses. I also need help in finding a good doctor because not all homepathic doctors are capable

raka

Posts:362Registered:12/21/07

Re: schizophrenia and homeopathyPosted: Sep 6, 2011 1:22 AM in response to:patanjali

This is just my opinion......If your daughter was diagnosed with sz then it's better not to discontinue the researched medication like clozapine. I have no knowledge re homeopathic meds but are these evidence based???Clozapine is full of side effects but this is the only medication which is believed to help in sz not only for positive symptoms but also for the negative symptoms.I, in past thought that my daughter's once episode of psychosis was sz but the doctor later diagnosed it asAsperger's induced and she never had psychosis again, thank God. She needed Abilify at that time but now tapered to a very low maintenance dose and she's doing fine. If your daughter had sz then be very careful withmeds because you will be in danger of her relapse with discontinuation of a well researched med.Best wishes.

JS BASERA

:02/24/12

Re: schizophrenia and homeopathyPosted: Feb 24, 2012 8:15 AM in response to:patanjali

my brother is also on clozapine 200mg i also want to get him referred to a homeopath can you please provide the contact no my email id is " jagdishbasera at yahoo dot com" i will be ever greatful to you.

qzx@sify.com

Posts:1Registered:08/31/12

Re: schizophrenia and homeopathyPosted: Aug 31, 2012 6:44 AM in response to:JS BASERA

i would like to tell about my homoeopathic doctor who had treated a my brother in law schizophrenia who gradually stopped respidone & using homoepathy medicines ,he dr madhavar rao from warangal andhra pradesh, india his contact no is 9866513378

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