Two Cases of Schizophrenia Treated with Individualized Homoeopathy

Abstract

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.

Cases summary: Two cases of Schizophrenia are assessed symptomatically using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and treated in Psychiatry Department of National Homoeopathy Research Institute in Mental Health, Kottayam.

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.

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.

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.

Conclusion: Homoeopathic medicines selected on the basis of individualization are useful in the management of Schizophrenia.