Anxiety and depression for 10yrs
Presenting condition:
10yrs of feeling anxious and depressed with indecision.
Brief history of condition:
Felt agitated with recent health scares e.g. bowel cancer. Felt very anxious generally with her health.
Current medication: None but uses Bach Rescue Remedy frequently everyday.
Other relevant factors:
Works within a school and volunteers for the Samaritans.
Relevant timeline incidents:
0yrs Not taken care of by her mother. ‘Aunty’ stepped in. Later found out that Aunty was her Great-Aunt. Mother had PND and 2 miscarriages after she was born.
4yrs Brother born who was favoured by her parents.
10yrs Started her periods. Mum didn’t tell her what to expect. Aunty gave her pads and told her all about it. Periods were heavy, painful and she developed breasts early too. Started on contraceptive pill.
11yrs Dad injured badly in road traffic accident and was in hospital for a long time. After this he was quite violent towards her mother. She would run to her Aunty’s house when she witnessed him hitting her mum.
13yrs Had a bedroom at parents house and at Aunty’s house too. Her mum quite often slept in same bed as her. Dad attempted suicide by taking a sleeping tablet overdose.
14yrs Went on a crash diet as she was overweight.
20yrs Met her now husband. He proposed after 1 month as they were very much in love. Her mum thought it was too fast and she was mad! Her Uncle walked her down the aisle on her wedding day. Her mother now wanted more of a relationship as she knew grandchildren may be on the way.
22yrs Gave birth to daughter. Aunty helped out and came to stay.
30yrs Husband had a nervous breakdown. It was a horrible time. He went for counselling and eventually took some medication too. The community psychiatric nurse came daily and helped him to function to a certain degree. She joined the Samaritans as a volunteer.
37yrs Dad died in the mental hospital he was staying in. She had visited him weekly. Found out she was 7 months pregnant. She had not been aware of this. Her mum told her she was stupid to have another child. Her Aunty was supportive.
38yrs Gave birth to her son.
40yrs Uncle died after a broken hip which resulted from a fall
42yrs Aunty died. Devastated. Aunty told her the truth about her early childhood upon her deathbed. Father-in-law died. She was very close to him.
44yrs Mum died from pneumonia.
45yrs Menopause and cysts on ovaries.
56yrs Prolapsed bladder
60yrs PVC ring pessary fitted after violent sneezing caused bladder to prolapse again.
Relevant familial history:
Mum – suffered with nerves badly. History of PND.
Father – angry and violent. Suicide attempt.
Brother – alcoholic and suffers with nerves.
Main remedy given: Pulsatilla
After 1st prescription:
I was emotionally drained after the 1st appt, but then I had a big cry. My appetite returned immediately after this, before I’d even taken any remedies. After all the doses of Pulsatilla, the worrying, anxiety, and indecision had totally gone! And they’ve stayed gone! I’ve only taken Rescue remedy twice during the day now (previously several times a day). Husband was not well, but my anxiety reduced much quicker after his recovery than normal.
It’s such a big relief to not have anxious or worrying feelings all the time. I wrote a letter to my Aunty and burnt it under the waning moon as you suggested. I can now talk about her without crying. This is massive! I make decisions much quicker now. I was losing weight as my anxiety squashed my appetite but I’m now enjoying my food. My appetite has returned. Bowels are now daily and type 4 (previously type 2-3 and alternate days).
I’m sleeping earlier as I’ve got nothing to worry about and am enjoying a better quality of sleep. Sciatica has gone and all my muscular tension has gone. I don’t need as much coffee and I’m thirstier for squash and water now. I went to the headmaster to ask for 1 week off for my 40th wedding anniversary. I would never have had the confidence to do this before!
‘You are my angel, thank you!’
After 2nd prescription:
I’m still feeling really good emotionally. I’ve had a couple of blips but nothing like it was before. Feel like I’m in control of my emotions. Sleeping well, enjoying food, bowels still good.
Summary:
10yrs of anxiety and worry had taken its toll on this lady. Her mood improved drastically after the main remedy. Her sleep, bowels and appetite all improved too and have stayed that way.
