Phosphoricum acidum is the appropriate homeopathic treatment for depression caused by prolonged suffering or stress, nerve-related hair loss and for mental over-exertion in students.
It is also recommended for the treatment of growing pains in children or for inadequate bone mineralisation.
The depression may have been triggered by a prolonged, sudden or severe grievance. This may have affected the patient emotionally and then physically or mentally.
The patient that is affected by Phosphoricum acidum suffers silently and becomes depressed, emotionally indifferent, apathetic and lonely.
The patient alienates himself. A typical behavioural characteristic is to sleep facing the wall.
These subjects are tall and have had fast growth spurts. This means that they have a tendency to develop bone growth disorders, painless diarrhoea and phosphor-calcic loss.
The Phosphoricum acidum patient has a very slow recovery following a debilitating illness involving fluid loss (sweating, diarrhoea…). Convalescence is difficult.
When do we use Phosphoricum acidum?
- When the patient goes from being active and energetic to a state of emotional, physical and mental weakness. He tires easily. The cause of this general instability is a sustained and silent grievance. We prescribe it for emotional shocks brought upon by traumatic experiences, grief, worries or romantic misfortunes.
- For mental over-exertion, for example during exams, contests or other times of stress.
- For fluid-loss or depletion such as sweating, haemorrhages, diarrhoea and breastfeeding.
Characteristics of the Phosphoricum acidum individual
The Phosphoricum acidum individual initially suffers from an emotional blockage, which then becomes physical or mental. He is asthenic, indifferent, sad, melancholic, withdrawn and reserved.
He is fatigued, exhausted and physically or mentally weakened. He has excessive daytime drowsiness, excessive sweat, colourless or milky urine and a craving for fresh fruit.
He is susceptible to develop headaches and sometimes has a feeling of pressure, flattening or weight upon his head. Sensory hypersensitivity occurs.
He will usually feel a “scraping” pain along the periosteum of the long bones.
Symptoms are worsened by the cold or by any type of exertion – physical or mental.
Physically, alopecia, visual afflictions, headaches, sweats, sexual indifference, impotence and premature ejaculation are all common complaints.
The mucous membranes are dry, particularly in the nose, eyes and mouth. A bitter taste can be noticed.
Occasionally, a fear of heights or vertigo may appear.
Over time, the Phosphoricum acidum individual loses his memory, seems absent and is slow to respond, as he needs to take the time to think of the right word in order to respond correctly. He is apathetic, disinterested in his surroundings and becomes inept at intellectual work.
He has strong cravings for juicy fruits and cold drinks. He feels dehydrated.
For nervous depression caused by exhaustion, worries or stress.
For nervous fatigue due to mental over-exertion.
For headaches in teenagers or students who are over-worked or studying and concentrating intensively.
For hair-loss caused by nervousness, worries or fatigue.
For growth spurts in children. Especially if the child has asthenia and pain in the periosteum.
For milky urine with a high level of phosphates.