|
Sepia
This is my foremost remedy for PND. It is used essentially for the woman who comes to see me in floods of tears, completely resigned to the fact that she is unable to care for or hold her baby. She thinks she hates the baby and her partner, can see no way out of her problems and despairs of recovery. Sleeplessness is a major problem, which leads to fatigue and the vicious circle of sleep deprivation and feelings of inadequacy. We all know how much worse things seem when we are tired. Even though these women do not want to be with their families, they cannot bear to be alone. They feel cast off from the world around them, a symptom which we refer to homeopathically as being 'forsaken'; a word which I feel describes succinctly the way a woman with PND feels about herself. In the midst of this depression, no matter how bad the woman feels, if she can be encouraged to take some exercise, or, even better, to go dancing, she is very likely to make a substantial and noticeable improvement with Sepia.
Lycopodium
Lycopodium is not always the first remedy that I, as a homeopath, think of when considering post-natal depression but patients who exhibit the symptoms of low self esteem, weeping when sympathy is shown and feelings of hopelessness and despair are those who may benefit from this remedy. They may also have a fear of failure, particularly in relation to the stress of their new role as a mother and the change in their responsibilities. Like Sepia, patients who will recover with Lycopodium often feel better in the evening but they do not have the improvement with exercise and love of dancing usually bring. Women who are helped by this remedy may also have had a history of irritable bowel type symptoms sometime in the past.
Ignatia
Like Lycopodium, Ignatia is a plant based remedy and is recommended when the mother has a variety of emotional problems. Symptoms can vary widely and may also be contrasting, with the woman sometimes feeling as if she is on an emotional roller coaster. This can manifest itself with mood swings and impulsiveness. The woman may also have had unrealistic or romanticised idea about child birth and what caring for a small baby would entail. She then finds herself falling below the high standards that she has set herself and then feelings of guilt arise, leading to depression. Patients will often hide their symptoms, fearing that their child may be taken from them, should they show that they are not coping. They then endeavour to live a façade that all is well but usually only those who are very close to the mother will be aware of the emotional turmoil being experienced. However, sympathy and a recognition of the desperation felt in these circumstances and a recommendation that the mother seeks help can, in itself, be a great therapy.
Pulsatilla
Pulsatilla is widely used by homeopaths for a variety of female hormonal problems but is sometimes overlooked when it comes to treating the symptoms of PND. Like Sepia, patients who may be helped by taking Pulsatilla will be tearful and cry when relating how they feel. However, sympathy makes them feel better and they often say how crying helps, whereas Sepia patients usually weep without the feeling of any relief from their symptoms. Women who may benefit from Pulsatilla tend to be of a softer personality than those being helped by Sepia, and often will seem to be of a more maternal inclination, which is why their feelings of depression are more difficult for them to understand after having the baby they wanted so badly. Patients who respond to Pulsatilla may also have changeable moods but the swings tend to be less pronounced in those women for whom I would recommend Ignatia. Overall, Pulsatilla is a remedy for a more gentle type of the patient than the other remedies previously mentioned.
These, therefore, are the homeopathic remedies that I recommend for PND but one question I frequently get asked by women who have suffered after the birth of their first child is can it happen again if they have further children?
The short answer is yes; it can, but is far less likely, although the circumstances under which the second child is conceived will have a large bearing on the mental health of the mother after birth. Factors such as home environment, relationships and lack of support will all have a consequence on whether a woman will face the same, or similar, problems but mothers usually cope much better because they are aware of the problems having faced them once already. However, they should not be frightened to seek help on the basis of 'you were like this last time so you must know what it is'.
Finally, what is vital for women suffering from PND to remember is that you are not alone, and that as a mother myself, I know how easy it is to feel that somehow you are not worthy or adequate. Do not worry, help is available to you from many different sources including counselling, conventional medicines and Homeopathic remedies, so don't despair and don't be frightened to ask for help. It is there and available for you.
© Dr Jeni Worden July 06
|
|
