Hi. LisaAnnan-
Thank you for the long and thoughtful reply. I have, actually, been under the treatment of this particular homeopath for 2 years or so. And I have read all of Vithoulkas, one book by Ullman and a particularly interesting book, Vibrational Medicine in the 21st Century which is an excellent analysis of all types of energy medicine. I understand the principles behind homeopathy fairly well but still have a problem deprogramming myself from the Big Medicine model.

A little background on our case: my daughter spent much of her early teens on a variety of psych meds trying to deal with some severe emotional problems. They never made any lasting changes for her, we grew tired of the trial and error methodology and the (sometimes horrendous) side-effects. The classical, constitutional homeopathy has been almost miraculous in its effect. And I can say the same for myself-long time, intractable depression and general malaise are on the decline. I firmly believe that homeopathy is a highly effective method of maintaining and promoting health and healing.

Some of my reaction is indeed the result of feeling responsible. I am angry with my daughter for letting them go ahead, when she knows that the shot was unnecessary and detrimental. She is in the midst of a year off and getting ready to travel and go off to college. She is very responsible and has been kicking herself for giving in to the pressure from the doctor she sees for physical forms. What just ticked me off about the Homeopath's response was that she must have used the word 'psychosis' bout 4 times in the course of a 5 minute or so conversation. Like it was a forgone conclusion that the result of this would even worse emotional problems, permanent and irreversible (and she did say that they might be irreversible). I have read all the websites posted earlier and re-read the pertinent pages in my books and while there is no doubt a wide variety of complications and issues that could develop from this mistake on our parts there was nothing that seemed to make major mental illness a certainty.

And in the final instance, what was there to be gained at that time by really scaring me? How can I change what has already happened? I am guessing she was angry and frustrated with me and my daughter and I can see that. But it.was.a.mistake. (As I write this, though, I think 'Well, maybe she did it intentionally on some level. A 'small' rebellion; a 'you're not in charge of me any more; a rude gesture toward the homeopath who forgot that she had already graduated from high school and laughed at her problems breaking up with her boyfriend) I am so glad that I answered the phone and not my daughter .

On the positive note, we are supporting her immune system with colloidal silver, grapefruit seed extract and Echinacea; good food and plenty of rest. I suppose that only time will tell what the repercussions of this will be. The initial reaction wasmoderate (possibly, according to Vithoulkis,\"the defense mechanisim is quite strong and may be able to successfully counteract the morbific influence of the vaccine." The Science of Homeopathy,p.115) the librarian in me took over for a moment. Expecting the worst, though, seems counterproductive.

I will have a discussion with our practitioner and have already sent her a letter as I am much more articulate on the page than in person. I am lucky enough to live in an area with many homeopaths.

Thanks again for your post.
Claire