I am looking for some help in coping with an acute case of anxiety. (I am searching for a Homeopath but have not yet lined up an appointment. This is a chronic problem and I assume I will need constitutional help from a doctor.)

Some details:

1) The anxiety comes up at a big life transition or new undertaking in life with unknown/uncontrollable factors. Otherwise, I am in pretty good shape: orgranized, balanced, peaceful, slightly depressive at times.

2) The anxiety has progressed to anxiety about the anxiety and fear of a breakdown.
(Six years ago the anxiety/depression was triggered by fear of my health and hypochondria but I worked through that and now it is more fear of a breakdown.)

3) I have overall body anxiety with these particulars: dilated pupils, jittery calves, nausea, frequent stools, and occasional throat contriction.

4) I often want to hide and go to bed. Have to make myself keep busy and do things to feel capable. I feel somewhat "paralyzed" mentally and physically.

5) Sometimes it seems better in evening/worse in morning but that is not reliable.

(I have looked through the repertory and have ideas about the remedy (gels, arg-n) but have no idea if I am close or how to dose it. I have some idea about my constitution, a well-balanced arsenicum?!)

Thanks so much for any help. What a great forum!

Something you can do is spend some time reading through the various posts on this forum...in particular concentrating on the posts where many details of a person's constitution/personality/disposition are given....not to compare yourself to them, but rather for you to understand more about what sort of information you must give here.

For further and better guidance: See the recent post "Kent's Lesser Writings" and see my note within that thread on the particular chapter of Kent's book I recommend the person read. You can then go to the same place, and read it, too, then understand better what sort of information you have to provide here in order for an on-line evaluation to be done. You must tell us as much about yourself as possible. Sometimes the evaluation can take one or two months. Many questions and answers. But start off by telling much more about yourself (following that chapter in Kent's Lesser Writings I note within Pat's recent post...), and we will take it from there.

[This message has been edited by kevin seymour (edited 24 January 2000).]

can you tell me about your fears, do you fear of darkness, can't stay alone. I think Ars is you remedy, stiil need to know more.

Gelsemium is for It is often helpful when a person has stage-fright about a public performance or interview, or feels anxious before a test, a visit to the dentist, or any stressful event.Fear of crowds, a fear of falling, and even a fear that the heart might stop are other indications for Gelsemium.


1.with desire to hide oneself.Ars, bell, Puls,Hyos
2.Propensity;To be aimlessly busy:Arng-n,Ars

Argentum Nitricum.
Hurries restlessly to fulfil engagements, fears to be late when there is plenty of time.?Melancholic; does not undertake anything lest he should not succeed.?Impulse to throw herself from the window.?Frequent errors of perception; mistakes distances; fears house-corners.?Time seems to pass very slowly.Argentum nitricum: This remedy can be helpful when anxiety develops before a big
event: an exam, an important interview, a public appearance or social engagement.
Dizziness and diarrhea may also be experienced. People who need this remedy are
often enthusiastic and suggestible, with a tendency toward peculiar thoughts and
impulses. They often crave sweets and salt (which usually make their symptoms
worse).
---------------------------
Arsenicum album:Mind.--Great anguish and restlessness. Changes place continually. Fears, of death, of being left alone. Great fear, with cold sweat. Thinks it useless to take medicine. Suicidal. Hallucinations of smell and sight. Despair drives him from place to place. Miserly, malicious,
selfish, lacks courage. General sensibility increased (Hep). Sensitive to disorder and confusion. People who are deeply anxious about their health, and extremely
concerned with order and security, often benefit from this remedy. Obsessive about
small details and very neat, they may feel a desperate need to be in control of
everything. Panic attacks often occur around midnight or the very early hours of the
morning. The person may feel exhausted yet still be restless—fidgeting, pacing, and
anxiously moving from place to place. These people may also have digestive problems
or asthma attacks accompanied by anxiety.

In response to more info from Gary:

I used to have a lot of fears about my health and about loved ones; there is still an element of that now but much less. I do not have a lot of other fears but fear of heights. The fear is more of not being able to follow through (because I fear I will breakdown with anxiety and/or depression) with a big change or new/unknown/uncontrollable task. Cognitive therapy has helped this a lot but when I am overwhelmed by anxiety it does not usually work.

Some more info that may be relevant:

A very strong family history of anxiety/depression, obsessive/compulsive tendencies, worrying, and perfectionism. Again, I worked through a lot of this but the tendency is there. I do like order and a clean home but can tolerate some confusion. I am much much easier on myself than I used to be and am now very accepting of myself and others.

I have brown blotches on my skin (mostly on my back) that are from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The spots start out as reddish, very slightly itchy spots that then hyperpigment. These spots are several years old and I do believe this process has stopped. I have olive colored skin and an oily chin with some pimples (especially premenstrually).

I also bite my nails and pick my skin a lot and have tried forever to stop it.

Dyspepsia and flatulence are part of the picture.

On most days, I find it hard to get up. I could be a night owl if society worked that way.

I am thin and tend to lose weight with anxiety.

Chronic post-nasal drip. Some sinus infections with tooth pain.

I am a kind, sympathetic, and loving person.

That is all I can think of for now.

TAKE ONE DOSE OF Arsenicum Album.

Dear NLH, Your situation sounds very similar to that of my own and my daughter's. Unfortunately, I did not know about homeopathy when my daughter's symptoms were at their worst, and so took her to a psychiatrist who prescribed a medication for her obsessive compulsive disorder/ depression/anxiety. In fairness to this doctor, he has since become very interested in vitamen therapy and urges his patients, when he feels it appropriate, to use vitamen supplements. Now, five years later, I have discovered homeopathy. I have been prescribed a homeopathic remedy by GM for my own symptoms, though, awful enough, weren't as severe as my daughter's. (I have not been on any allopathic medication for my disorders). My daughter has also decided to use homeopathy, and is still under the psychiatrist's care, who is slowly taking her off the medication. Her own homeopathic doctor has prescribed a remedy, which she has started while she takes less of the allopathic medication. So far we are both doing fine. I share this with you to incourage you to seek homeopathic help. This will avoid the problems with side effects from the allopathic medication which my daughter unfortunately suffers from. Best wishes, Mselle

26th Jan 2000 Wed 12.30 am

Dear NLH

your mail was seen by me. HOMEO has good prescription to come out of this problem and cure and bring you back to cheerfulness.

In the meantime, as a social worker, we have cured some of the similar symptoms by scriptural books - simple and straightforward ones - which you will be able to understand esily. Over 78 languages are available to pick up. whatever your language is you may pick up one.

It is known as "SRIMAD BHAGAVAT GITA" as it is written by His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. This is available from your town/city/area the source is ISKCON a world famous society. They offer you free guidance to over come this symptoms of course you MUST follow the Homeo prescriptions given by Gary/Ricky/GM via this homeo club

Best of Luck and we pray for your early cure from this symptom

with Love, hare krishna mani

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by NLH:
In response to more info from Gary:

I used to have a lot of fears about my health and about loved ones; there is still an element of that now but much less. I do not have a lot of other fears but fear of heights. The fear is more of not being able to follow through (because I fear I will breakdown with anxiety and/or depression) with a big change or new/unknown/uncontrollable task. Cognitive therapy has helped this a lot but when I am overwhelmed by anxiety it does not usually work.

Some more info that may be relevant:

A very strong family history of anxiety/depression, obsessive/compulsive tendencies, worrying, and perfectionism. Again, I worked through a lot of this but the tendency is there. I do like order and a clean home but can tolerate some confusion. I am much much easier on myself than I used to be and am now very accepting of myself and others.

I have brown blotches on my skin (mostly on my back) that are from post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The spots start out as reddish, very slightly itchy spots that then hyperpigment. These spots are several years old and I do believe this process has stopped. I have olive colored skin and an oily chin with some pimples (especially premenstrually).

I also bite my nails and pick my skin a lot and have tried forever to stop it.

Dyspepsia and flatulence are part of the picture.

On most days, I find it hard to get up. I could be a night owl if society worked that way.

I am thin and tend to lose weight with anxiety.

Chronic post-nasal drip. Some sinus infections with tooth pain.

I am a kind, sympathetic, and loving person.

That is all I can think of for now.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

1.Are you impulsive, wants to do things in a hurry; must walk fast; is always hurried; anxious, irritable,nervous?
2.Attacks of anxiety at night driving out of bed, &lt; after midnight.
3.Symptoms generally worse 1-2 p. m., 12-2 am
please answer yes or no to the questions.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GARY:
1.Are you impulsive, wants to do things in a hurry; must walk fast; is always hurried; anxious, irritable,nervous?
2.Attacks of anxiety at night driving out of bed, &lt; after midnight.
3.Symptoms generally worse 1-2 p. m., 12-2 am
please answer yes or no to the questions. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

1) No
2) No
3) No

Keep reading as much as you can on Arg n...but, really, there is not yet enough information to say what is your simillimum...best if you keep readng and telling more about yourself. What do you LOVE, what do you HATE (not merely likes or dislikes)? Hot vs. cold, what are you temperature preferences (look at amount of clothing/blanket/etc you prefer...in comparison to other ppl you know? What is your food preference? Temperature of food and drink taken? How much and how often do you drink? Better or worse by eating? Look for anything particular about yourself and your life. You've already given some excellent info.

Please note (re: some of your comments about psychotherapy) that homeopathy is a different beast altogether!! Homeopathy will cure you. You will NOT NOT NOT NOT require self-discipline in order to be cured by homeopathy. Now, having said that, it must also be added that you may need to take homeopathy regularly...but it's too soon to say. You have a great fear of mental breakdown, and, as homeopaths, we will respect that you know your body best. This may indeed require your especial care, the healing of your mental plane. Homeopathy can indeed function there. It is a physical healing of the mind. By healing your physical mind, your fears will disappear. This is the goal. Best, therefore, to give as much info about you as possible, because it is the simillimum (the remedy that best matches who you are) that will provide the cure.

Homeopathy is NOT vitamin therapy at all. Homeopathy is its own unique science.

Keep posting. It takes up to 4-6 weeks or more for everyone who visits this forum to read and respond best to all the various posts. Patience. It is a worthwhile venture.