Can the sweet pills restore the smiles of autistic children?

The second of April marks World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), every year globally. WAAD was designated by the United Nations in 2007 to help end stigmatization and discrimination against those with Autism and their caregivers. It aims to raise understanding and awareness of this global health issue at all levels of society. The alarming increase in prevalence (1 in 100-WHO) and potentially lifelong disabling nature of the disorder demands awareness as early identification and intervention are pivotal in the management of Autism

Dementia treated with individualized homoeopathy: A case report

Introduction: Dementia is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that places a significant physical, emotional, and financial burden on patients, their caregivers and society. The global burden of dementia is growing alarmingly greater in the past few decades. There is an evidence base for the effectiveness of homeopathic medicines in certain psychiatric disorders, but literature is scarce on the usefulness of homoeopathy in dementia. Case Summary: A 72-year-old female patient was brought to the psychiatry outpatient unit with symptoms such as sleeplessness, irrelevant talking, irritability, weakness of memory, lack of personal hygiene, and wandering away from home. The case was diagnosed as unspecified dementia, assessed with mini-mental state examination (MMSE), and treated with Ignatia 200. MMSE score of 10 (severe cognitive impairment) at baseline gradually improved to 24 (no cognitive impairment) within 6 months and was maintained up to 12 months. Clinical improvement was also observed in cognitive functions, behaviour as well as the general condition of the patient. Causal attribution to changes after homeopathic intervention is evaluated through Modified Naranjo Criteria for homoeopathy

Role of Carcinosinum in Autism Spectrum Disorder- A Case series

oai:www.ijrh.org:journal-1008Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a pervasive developmental disorder having the potential to cause lifelong disability. Individualised homoeopathic remedies are found to be safe and effective in the management of ASD. Cases Summary: Three cases of ASD treated with Carcinosinum at the Child psychiatry unit of the National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam are presented to show the action of this nosode in ASD. Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism (ISAA), an indigenous tool, was used for the assessment of severity at baseline and subsequent follow-up visits. Remarkable improvement was observed in these three cases. After one year of treatment, the baseline ISAA scores of 151, 127 and 132 turned to 65, 14 and 15, respectively (ISAA score 153 Severe Autism)

Individualized homoeopathic treatment of phobic anxiety disorders – A case series

Introduction: Phobic anxiety disorders (PAD) are common distressing and disabling disorders that reduce the quality of life of an individual. Clinical trials of phobic disorders in conventional treatment are not yet substantiated with too many positive results. Homoeopathy is a well established therapeutic system with potential relevance to psychiatry but has a limited database and its effectiveness in certain disorders such as Phobic disorders is yet to be explored. Cases of phobias, which have been cured in routine homoeopathic practice remain anecdotal. This case series generates preliminary evidence for the usefulness of homoeopathy in phobic disorders. Well planned research studies with calculated sample size and suitable study designs are necessary to corroborate the evidence. Cases Summary: A series of five case reports of PAD which were treated with homoeopathic medicines in OPD of National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam are presented here. Cases which were assessed for severity using American Psychiatric Association (APA) Severity Measures for Phobia Adult at baseline and with a 1-year follow-up at periodic monthly interval are reported. Their baseline and monthly scores were analyzed, and results are summarized. The mean APA Phobia Severity measure value of the five cases i.e., 35 at baseline reduced to 0 (Asymptomatic) in an average duration of 8 months. The improvement continued steadily up to 12 months. Results point out preliminary evidence for utility of Homoeopathy in Phobic disorders and stimulate for further research in this area

Autism Spectrum Disorder Managed with Individualised Homoeopathic Medicine—Analysis of 20 Cases

Abstract Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term used to describe a constellation of early-appearing social communication deficits and repetitive sensory-motor behaviours. There is a dramatic increase in prevalence of ASD in the past few decades. Autism is a potentially lifelong impairing disorder usually managed with complementary therapies, symptomatic behavioural, sensory integration therapies and medical treatments. As there are currently no specific medicines that can address core disabilities of ASD, there is a desperate need to explore new interventions in ASD. Objectives The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines in the usual care setting, i.e. regular OPD, for the management of ASD using Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). Materials and Methods The present study is a case series analysis of 20 cases diagnosed as ASD and evaluated with ATEC in the outpatient unit of Department of Psychiatry, National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health. Individualised homoeopathic medicines were prescribed based on classical homoeopathic principles. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare ATEC scores at baseline to end of 12 months. Results The median baseline ATEC score of 110.0 (116.0–94.5) reduced to 33.5 (61.75–25.0) at p &lt; 0.001, with an effect size of 0.88. There was statistically significant difference in all domains of speech language communication, sociability, sensory/cognitive awareness and health/physical/behaviour when compared from baseline to end of 12 months. Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea phosphorica, Carcinosinum, Mercurius solubilis, Natrum muriaticum, Silicea, Theridion, Tuberculinum, Zincum metallicum etc. were commonly indicated homoeopathic medicines. Conclusion Individualised Homoeopathic medicines are effective in the management of ASD. Well planned, methodically rigorous research is warranted to corroborate the evidence.</jats:p

A Case of Paranoid Schizophrenia Treated with Individualised Homoeopathy

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is a chronic, complex, highly disabling, serious mental disorder characterised by distortions of thinking and perception. Psychotropic medicines used for management are effective but are characterised by severe limitations. Alternate safe and effective treatment regimens are being explored. Homoeopathy is a system of medicine based on individualistic approach with potential relevance to psychiatry. Purpose The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate the utility of homoeopathy in management of schizophrenia. Client Description A 37-year-old female patient was brought by her husband to outpatient department of psychiatry. Auditory hallucinations, referential delusions, thought withdrawal and emotional outbursts were reported during the interview. Measures and Outcome The physician's initial assessment lead to diagnosis of schizophrenia and confirmed as paranoid schizophrenia by the psychiatrist. Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia (CGI-SCH) was used to assess the severity of symptoms at baseline and consecutive follow-ups for 18 months. Intervention The patient was prescribed a single dose of Natrum carbonicum 200C and repeated only once after 8 months, when sleep disturbance demanded repetition. Results Baseline CGI-SCH scores in domains of severity of illness and degree of change were 29 and 20, respectively, which reduced to 5 (normal) in both domains by 4 months and remained the same for the next 2 years. Implications This case study reinforces the utility of homoeopathy in schizophrenia and throws light on importance of a thorough case taking of psychiatric patients to elicit totality of symptoms to arrive at the similimum.</jats:p

Two Cases of Schizophrenia Treated with Individualized Homoeopathy

Background: Schizophrenia is a chronic, debilitating psychiatric disorder which is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and has a large impact on individuals, families and society. There is paucity of literature on usefulness of Homoeopathy in Schizophrenia.&#x0D; Cases summary: Two cases of Schizophrenia are assessed symptomatically using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and treated in Psychiatry Department of (blinded for review)&#x0D; Case no.1 (Paranoid Schizophrenia) presented with sleeplessness, irritable mood, referential and persecutory delusions, auditory and olfactory hallucinations and thought broadcasting. The case was analyzed according to Kent’s method and Lycopodium 30c was prescribed. PANSS score of 135 at baseline turned to 30(Normal) within 4 months and maintained for the next 24 months of observation period.&#x0D; Case no.2 (Catatonic Schizophrenia) presented with sleeplessness, laughing and crying alternately, not responding to questions, silly smiling, slow activities, need for compulsion to do her daily activities, standing like a statue for hours assuming strange postures, poor sociability and delusion that her body is split vertically into two. The case was managed acutely with Ignatia 200C followed by a dose of Phosphorus 200C as a constitutional remedy. PANSS score of 157 at baseline turned to 30 (Normal) within 3 months and maintained for 24 months.&#x0D; There is reduction of positive, negative and general symptoms along with good psycho-social adaptation. Causal attribution of changes in condition to the homoeopathic treatment was depicted by the Modified Naranjo Criteria score.&#x0D; Conclusion: Homoeopathic medicines selected on the basis of individualization are useful in the management of Schizophrenia.</jats:p

Review on Anxiety Disorders During Covid-19 Pandemic:

The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has created havoc in most areas of human lives. Anxiety disorders are most prevalent and disabling psychiatric disorders and the incidence is increased in this scenario. Homeopathy is an established system of medicine with evidence base on effectiveness in mental health issues. There is a dearth of literature concerning the potential utility of Homoeopathy in the management of psychological issues during this pandemic. This overview is aimed to find out the commonly prevalent anxiety disorders and to assess the usefulness of homoeopathic medicines in the management of anxiety through selective literature search of articles and available research studies in homoeopathy on anxiety. In conclusion, mental health is a critical concern in a pandemic's scenario and Homoeopathy can be a safe and effective alternative or adjunctive to the conventional system in the management of anxiety disorders during this chaotic situation.</jats:p