Homeopathy & Teenagers
The transition from childhood to adulthood involves many changes and a change is always stressful to some degree. When we change we have to leave go of something in order to move forward. This can evoke feelings of fear and helplessness. There’s an assumption that because we are programmed biologically to go through puberty, it should be a straightforward matter. That isn’t always the case.
What sort of thing do teenagers talk about with me?
Here are some typical issues that we discuss. If there’s anything else on your mind, please call me to ask. I don’t make a charge for enquiries. It’s important to understand what’s possible and if homeopathy is the right place to start, or not.
Moving to secondary school and peer pressure
Moving up is a stressful time for young teenagers. Standing up for yourself inside the classroom and outside school can be challenging. This is the age when friendships and peer groups become very important and you start to ask yourself all sorts of profound questions about who you are, where you fit in and what sort of things you want to do. Most parents have probably forgotten the profundity of peer pressure effects on the average teenager. Positive peer pressure is healthy and helps create a robust self image. Negative peer pressure exerts a correspondingly unhealthy reaction and may lead to bad choices being made in order to be liked or to fit into a group.
Body image and eating disorders
Look at any school photograph and you will see the variation in the rate at which teens develop. Many teens struggle with their self esteem during puberty. Girls may feel coerced to be thin; boys may feel that they are lacking in manliness and muscle. Negative comments from parents or peers can have serious repercussions on body image and self esteem. Sometimes this can lead to limiting food or overindulging in an attempt to regain control. The three main eating disorders are anorexia (self imposed starvation), bulimia (forced vomiting after excessive eating) and binge eating (compulsive emotional eating).
Teen depression
The teenage reaction to depression may be getting into trouble with drugs, drink, sex or being rebellious. It may result from breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, parents getting divorced, bullying, peer pressure or struggling with school work and achieving the required grades. Physical illnesses and accidents can also trigger depression. Depression can be scary and unfamiliar. Those around the depressed person may not know what to say and do and often protect them, hoping that time will heal the situation or perhaps not wanting to face up to the situation. This can make the depressed person feel more alienated. Those close to someone who is seriously depressed may also need information and advice.
Skin problems
Acne affects boys more than girls because it is particularly provoked by circulating testosterone levels which make the skin more oily and greasy. The pores become clogged and infected and can cause all sorts of outbreaks from whiteheads and blackheads, to red swellings and pus-filled eruptions. In the most severe cases, the whole face may be covered and the back and chest involved. Some spots destroy the skin and leave it pitted and permanently scarred. Even in mild forms acne can be a very distressing condition. It is often worse in winter and better in summer – probably due to the beneficial effects of sunlight.
Conventional treatments for acne are based around the use of antibiotics. The homeopathic approach is to consider the characteristics of the skin eruption (for example, red, hot and swollen), the location, sensation (for example, burning itch which is worse for scratching) and the things that make it better and worse (for example, worse when the person undresses or better in the morning). We add this information to the emotional picture and the general symptoms to make an individual prescription.
Period pain
In the first years of a girl’s periods it is very usual to find that the pattern is irregular and the periods painful. Given time, the body adjusts and usually sorts out both of these problems. However, many girls find that their periods are severe enough to cause them to miss out on school and other social activities and generally make life miserable. Conventional treatment from the GP usually involves taking pain killing drugs or the oral contraceptive pill. Many people prefer a more natural solution. The aim of a homeopathic remedy is to stimulate the natural regulatory systems and resolve the problem without the use of chemical drugs.
Over 60s
Homeopath for over 60s
There’s always a lot to talk about with someone over 60. What distinguishes this age group from younger ones is the fact that most people in this age bracket are living with at least one chronic condition.
Women
Homeopathy for Women
I love treating women’s problems with homeopathic remedies because I know they will instantly understand my approach to prescribing.
Men
Homeopathy for Men
Men are reluctant to get help for their health problems. Even though a man’s average life expectancy is six years less than a woman’s, they often delay seeking help until their situation has become serious or can no longer be ignored.
Children
Homeopathy for Children
When most children fall ill, they tend to produce strong symptoms which make homeopathic prescribing relatively easy.
Pregnancy
Homeopathy for Pregnancy
The gentle, non-invasive, healing approach offered by homeopathy suits many pregnant women. I am frequently consulted by women who cannot or do not want to take a chemical drug whilst pregnant.
Menopause
Homeopathy for Menopause
A transition such as the menopause is always stressful to some degree as it involves physical and emotional changes which need adapting to.