Treating Emotional Suffering: Before using pharmaceuticals to address behavioral issues in children, consider these natural alternatives, recommends Dr. Paul Stallone

Having a little one that suffers emotionally may be a parent’s worst nightmare, especially if the behavior becomes disruptive and jeopardizes the child’s quality of life. A child with a behavioral illness can be downright frustrating, whether they’re anxious, depressed, fidgety, angry, hyperactive and/or sad. Allopathic treatment of emotional suffering usually consists of counseling and prescription drugs. But children’s bodies are delicate, and the evidence is inconclusive as to what antidepressant, anti-anxiety or sedative medications do to a developing brain and body.

Naturopathic physicians address and treat the cause, not the symptom, and addressing emotional suffering is no different. There are many biological reasons a child could be suffering. A neurotransmitter imbalance, hormonal imbalance, food sensitivities, nutrient-deficient diet and many more silent malfunctions could be contributing to a child experiencing uncontrolled emotions. Instead of rushing children into harsh drug treatment protocols, testing should be considered to confirm or rule out suspicious factors.

Many parents and physicians have found success with treating emotional suffering with homeopathy, which was developed on the principle of like cures like, similar to fighting fire with fire. However, using the energy from fire to extinguish an actual fire is more accurate. This very effective form of medicine may be a natural option to treat children without side effects or risks. More and more parents and caregivers are choosing to treat emotional distress without experimenting and exposing their children to dangerous drugs.

There are hundreds of homeopathic remedies to address everything from head to toe, physical or emotional. Although for complex or stubborn cases a knowledgeable physician should be consulted, but for most, the simple remedies below from a Materia Medica are great recommendations to start out with. These can be found in alternative health food stores. The recommended strength is 6X or 12X, and can come in oral drops or sublingual pellets which should be taken two to three times a day until the symptom improves. If no improvement is noted within a few days, either discontinue and try another remedy or schedule an appointment.

Aurum – For the loss of a very close relative, friend or pet. Life has no meaning for this child.

Aconite – Useful for the child that has anxiety induced from being scared or fearful.

Calc Carb – For children that overload themselves with work and tasks. Also for children that anticipate problems.

Chamomile – For a child that is quickly angered.

Chamomilla – Useful for an agitated child that cannot relax and wears themself out.

Gelsemium – For a child suffering with physical ailments or anticipation after a traumatic event.

Ignatia – For incomprehensible grief. The child can’t understand or believe what happened. The grief doesn’t have to involve death.

Lachesis – For a child that is critical, suspicious and oversensitive.

Lycopodium – Used when a child is exhausted, but can’t sit still. This child will be irritable.

Natrum Mur – Indicated for a child that is sensitive and tearful after an angry outburst. Also for a child that is heartbroken, but still expressive.

Nux Vomica – Used when a child is irritable, which results in headaches and/or upset stomach.

Pulsatilla – Used when a child feels abandoned and has grief and sadness.

Silecea – For a child that anticipates a lack of energy before completing tasks and/or is vocal with complaints.

Staphasagria – For a child with suppressed anger that causes headaches.

Stramonium – Used with children that have violence with severe hyperactivity.

These recommendations can be used throughout childhood and even into adulthood. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other therapies. Emotional suffering can have lifelong consequences and treatment should not be taken lightly. Moderate to severe cases should be addressed with physicians experienced with treating emotional issues. Some naturopaths have great familiarity with weaning patients off pharmaceuticals drugs. Suffering of any kind should not be tolerated.

Paul Stallone, NMD, founded the Arizona Integrative Medical Center, located at 8144 E. Cactus Rd., Ste. 820, in Scottsdale. He combines natural/alternative/conventional treatments to best fit and benefit each individual patient’s needs. For more information, call 480-214-3922 or visit DrStallone.com.