Homeopathy Pediatric Mental Health

Homeopathy: The Basics & Relationship to Mental Health: 

Kathleen Felice Slonager, RN, AE-C, DiHOM, ADS Transformational Health, PC Beverly Hills, Michigan September 2006 Homeopathy: The Basics andamp; Relationship to Mental Health

Disclosure, etc.: 

Disclosure, etc. No relationships, associations, or financial/material interests to disclose This presentation is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat condition(s) or in any way replace the services of a qualified medical practitioner

What is Homeopathy? The History: 

What is Homeopathy? The History Homeopathy is a system of medicine that is based on the Law of Similars. The truth of this law has been verified experimentally and clinically for the last 200 years (National Center for Homeopathy) It’s primary principle is: Similia Similibus Curentur, which translates: 'Let likes cure likes'

History: 

History System developed by Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) over 200 years ago German physician who earned his Doctor of Medicine degree in 1779 Scientific advances were beginning, but clinical practice of medicine was rife with superstition andamp; lack of scientific rigor.  ie: purgatives, bleeding, blistering plasters, herbal preparations 

History, cont.: 

History, cont. Hahnemann began researching andamp; experimenting believing that a substance can cure what it can induce First used cinchona bark (malaria treatment) Concluded that effective drugs must produce symptoms in healthy people that are similar to the s/s of that disease

What is Homeopathy?: 

What is Homeopathy? Homeopathic medicines work by stimulating the body’s own immune system (vital force) Non-toxic and when properly administered are safe for infants, children, adults and animals Substances are diluted to micro-dose levels (Avogadro’s law) ex: 30X, 12C, 1M No known side-effects

What is Homeopathy?: 

Made from a variety of substances: plants/flowers, minerals, animal products Made in accordance of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS) Homeopathic medicines are considered drug products under the law (FDA) since 1938 via the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, authored by Senator Royal Copeland, M.D., himself a homeopathic physician What is Homeopathy?

Homeopathic Health ModelAllopathy Homeopathy: 

Homeopathic Health Model Allopathy Homeopathy

Homeopathic Health ModelAllopathy Homeopathy: 

Homeopathic Health Model Allopathy Homeopathy

Homeopathic Health ModelAllopathy Homeopathy: 

Homeopathic Health Model Allopathy Homeopathy

Evidence-Based Medicine?: 

Evidence-Based Medicine? Scientific skepticism, stemming mostly from a lack of an apparent mechanism of action, has led to the assumption that homeopathy’s clinical success is due only to placebo responses Research has been going on for several decades Needs unique methodologies ONE example is a study of children suffering from recurring ear infections, where over 70 % did NOT have another infection in the year after homeopathic treatment. The figure was 57 % for those who had conventional drugs. Friese K-H, Kruse S, Ludtke R, Moeller H 'Homeopathic treatment of otitis media in children: comparisons with conventional therapy'. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1997; 35: 296-301.

Evidence-Based Medicine: 

Evidence-Based Medicine Steinsbekk, A. Patients' assessments of the effectiveness of homeopathic care in Norway: A prospective observational multicentre outcome study. Homeopathy, Volume 94, Issue 1, January 2005, Pages 10-16. '70 % of patients report positive health changes after homeopathic treatment. Most of these have already tried conventional medicine, with little or no effect'

Evidence-Based Medicine: 

Evidence-Based Medicine Taylor MA, Reilly D, Llewellyn-Jones RH, McSharry C, Aitchison T, Lancaster T, Vickers A. British Medical Journal 2000; 321: 471-476. Randomized controlled trial of homeopathy versus placebo in perennial allergic rhinitis. 'The homoeopathy group had a significant objective improvement in nasal airflow compared with the placebo group…The objective results reinforce earlier evidence that homoeopathic dilutions differ from placebo.'

Philosophy & Principles: 

Philosophy andamp; Principles The Law of Similars Vital Force Totality of Symptoms Minimum Dose Single Remedy

Law of Similars"Similia similibus curentur" : 

Law of Similars 'Similia similibus curentur'  'Like cures like…Any substance which can produce a totality of symptoms in a healthy human being can cure that totality of symptoms in a sick human being.' Samuel Hahnemann

Vital Force: 

Vital Force 'During health, a spiritual power (autocracy, vital force) animates the organism and keeps it in harmonious order.' Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine, 1810 When symptoms of illness are present, vital force is unbalanced – not in homeostasis Remedies work to return homeostasis

Totality of Symptoms: 

Totality of Symptoms '…it follows undeniably that the sum of all the symptoms and conditions in each individual case of disease must be the sole indication, the sole guide to direct us in the choice of a remedy.' Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine, A-17, 5 andamp; 6th edition, 1833 'The homeopathic method of prescribing on a totality of symptoms is designed to be curative, not just palliative andamp; suppressive.' Luc DeSchepper, MD, PhD, CHom, DIHom, Lic.Ac.

Totality of Symptoms: 

Totality of Symptoms The unique and common physiological andamp; psychological symptoms of each case are assessed by the homeopath andamp; remedy is selected that matches the totality of that persons symptoms Aconite Comes on suddenly Awakens in night (2:00am) after exposure to cold Fever with restlessness Anxiety/fearfulness (of death) due to suddenness of onset Burning throat and thirst Belladonna Suddenness of onset Redness andamp; heat High fever/red face Pulsing neck veins Eyes dilated Sensitivity to noise/movement May be delirious/sees monsters Throat swollen (glands) Aconite vs Belladonna For Colds or Flu Match the remedy symptoms with those experienced by person

Minimum Dose: 

Minimum Dose 'The correctness of a medicine for a given case…depends not only on its accurate homeopathic selection but also on the correct size (or rather smallness) of the dose.' Samuel Hahnemann, Organon of Medicine, A-275, 5 andamp; 6th edition, 1833 Dosing always begins with the lowest possible potency with minimal repetitions

Single Remedy: 

Single Remedy Only one remedy can be the most similar at any given time to the condition of any given patient - Similia Similibus Curentur If more than one remedy is used the homeopath will never know which element was curative and our source of future guidance is obscured

Hey – It’s Good Enough for…: 

Hey – It’s Good Enough for… Henry David Thoreau Harriett Beecher Stowe Charles Darwin William Osler ('father of modern medicine') C. Everett Koop, M.D. David Beckham Arnie Kander (Strength andamp; Conditioning Coach, NBA Detroit Pistons) Catherine Zeta- Jones andamp; Jennifer Aniston Paul McCartney U.S. Presidents: Lincoln, Tyler, Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, andamp; Clinton

Homeopathy’s Use in Pediatric ADD/ADHD: 

Homeopathy’s Use in Pediatric ADD/ADHD Recent studies showing statistically significant benefit using homeopathy in children with ADHD andamp; ADD: ● European Journal of Pediatrics ISSN: 0340-6199 (Paper) 1432-1076 (Online) 27 July 2005 study used individualized homeopathic treatment in a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled crossover study. 'The trial suggests scientific evidence of the effectiveness of homeopathy in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, particularly in the areas of behavioral and cognitive functions.'

Homeopathy’s Use in Pediatric ADD/ADHD, cont.: 

Homeopathy’s Use in Pediatric ADD/ADHD, cont. British Homeopath Journal. 2001 Oct;90(4):178-9. Frei, H. andamp; Thurnevsen, A. '…a prospective trial to assess the efficacy of homeopathy in hyperactive patients and to compare it methylphenidate (MPD) in children 3-17 y/o. The reported results of homeopathic treatment appear to be similar to the effects of MPD… In preschoolers, homeopathy appears a particularly useful treatment for ADHD.

Homeopathy’s Use in Pediatric ADD/ADHD, cont.: 

Homeopathy’s Use in Pediatric ADD/ADHD, cont. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. homeopathy for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Pilot Randomized-Controlled Trial. Oct 2005, Vol. 11, No. 5: 799-806. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 'This pilot study provides no evidence to support a therapeutic effect of individually selected homeopathic remedies in children with ADHD. A therapeutic effect of the homeopathic encounter is suggested and warrants further evaluation.'

Homeopathic Suggestions for ADD/ADHD: 

Comprehensive assessment by a qualified homeopath (usually 2 hour visit) 'Each child has a state. That state is the mental-emotional-physical stance that he has adopted that determines how he interacts with the rest of the world.' Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, Ritalin-Free Kids, 2nd ed., 2000, pg. 96 Each homeopathic remedy also corresponds to a 'state' ie: constitution Homeopathic Suggestions for ADD/ADHD

Homeopathic Suggestions for ADD/ADHD, cont.: 

Homeopathic Suggestions for ADD/ADHD, cont. Medicines are pellet, liquid or by inhalation Remedy selection is always derived from a complete assessment that includes symptoms (rubrics) from physical, mental/emotional, spiritual When the correct remedy used – dramatic and subtle shifts take place Gentle/Slow vs. fast/aggravated

Clinical Pictures: 

Clinical Pictures Calcarea phosphorica: diff. to sustain mental effort, poor memory, anemic, digestive issues, generally frustrated andamp; dissatisfied – 'the grass is always greener' kinds of kids, 'school h/a’s andamp; stomach aches, short stature/slow growth Cina: irritable, don’t know wants andamp; reject what they are given, pinch, kick, hit out of irritability, pick or bore into they nose andamp; ears, hs teeth grinders Arsenicum album: tremendous restlessness, anxiety, fear/fright, hyperactive child – not aggressive, fear of germs andamp; for their health Please note: these remedy descriptions are not comprehensive; for example only

Clinical Pictures, cont.: 

Clinical Pictures, cont. Stramonium: ceaseless talking, loquacious, laughing, singing, swearing, praying, rhyming, rhythmic motions, expression of terror/fear, violence Scorpion: lack of conscience andamp; compassion for suffering of others, extremely violent, detached/loaners, self-centered, indifferent to pleasure or pain Silica: increased susceptibility to stimuli, faint-hearted, anxious, sensitive to all impressions, obstinate, headstrong, abstracted, fixed ideas Please note: these remedy descriptions are not comprehensive; for example only

Additional Reading & Resources: 

Additional Reading andamp; Resources For general understanding: 'Everybody’s Guide to Homeopathic Medicines', Steven Cummings, MD andamp; Dana Ullman, MPH 'Impossible Cure: The Promise of Homeopathy', Amy Lasky, PhD For in-depth study/understanding: 'Organon of Medicine', Samuel Hahnemann, MD, 6th edition

Readings & Resources, cont.: 

Readings andamp; Resources, cont. 'Ritalin Free Kids', Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman, N.D., M.S. W. and Robert Ullman, N.D. Best source for Homeopathic Books: http://minimum.com Other: National Center for Homeopathy: http://homeopathic.org Homeopathy Home: http://homeopathyhome.com

Questions? Comments?: 

Questions? Comments? Feel free to contact me anytime: Kathleen Felice Slonager, RN, AE-C DiHOM, ADS Transformational Health, PC 16205 W. 14 Mile, #202 Beverly Hills, MI 48025 #248.613.9662  kslonager@msn.com 'The highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of the health, or removal and annihilation of the disease in its whole extent, in the shortest, most reliable, and most harmless way, on easily comprehensible principles.' Samuel Hahnemann