Case: Lack of Confidence

Case:
Lack of Confidence

Mitchell was a nine year old boy who hated
school. His concentration was poor and writing
was difficult. Mitchell would often write his
alphabet letters back the front, (using “b” instead
of “d”, and so on). He also had trouble
remembering the sounds for each letter. A “lazy
eye” added to his difficulties so that the more he
tried, the more he would tire and drift off into a
daydream. He was still in a standard class but
was struggling to keep up with his school mates.
Mitchell was also constantly tired. At school, his
teacher noted that he would have to lie across his
desk rather than sit upright. He could only
complete half a game of football and after school
he would collapse on a lounge before
falling asleep.
Obviously, Mitchell’s parents were concerned.
They had taken him to their family doctor but
standard tests had failed to reveal a problem.
The GP did suggest that Mitchell may have
dyslexia, though, an opinion the school supported.
Mitchell’s parents had also taken him to a
chiropractor, a behavioural optometrist, and an
occupational therapist. Slow gains had been made
but it was an expensive process.
Mitchell was embarrassed by his difficulties.
He hated to fail in front of others and worried that
people thought he was “stupid” or “hopeless”.
Sometimes he would cry from shame and
embarrassment. It seems he had always suffered
from low confidence and anxiety.
When frustrated Mitchell could lash out in anger,
something his mother said had happened since he
was a toddler. He complained of “no friends”at
school even though his teacher said he was
popular and usually with groups of children.
Unpleasant dreams and nightmares in which he
moaned and mumbled disturbed his sleep.
Occasionally he would shout in his sleep.
Interestingly, Mitch’s mother said that in spite of
these problems, Mitch pretended to be fearless
and adventurous. He won the approval of other
children by boasting, bragging and acting the
clown in in front of them.
During the consultation I asked Mitch who his
favourite television character was and he told me
Darth Vader from the Star War movies because he
didn’t listen to other people, fought a lot, and did
what he wanted.
Other symptoms Mitchell experienced included
aching pains in his legs at night, bed-wetting
which made sleepovers with friends impossible,
and the biting of finger and toenails – not just
nibbled but down to the quick so they bled. I also
discovered that he had reflux and eczema as a
baby, had been allergic to cow and soy milk, and
as an infant, suffered from projectile vomiting.
Treatment
Mitchell was prescribed Lycopodium. Lycopodium treats a broad
range of physical and mental/emotional
symptoms as long as the characteristic
Lycopodium indicators are present.
Its gastrointestinal use has already been looked at
in the “Bloated Belly” case on this website.
Perhaps Mitchell’s babyhood episodes of reflux
and vomiting reflected his need for this remedy
even at this early age? Along with digestive
complaints, Lycopodium can also treat states of
dyslexia, and under-confidence disguised by
bravado.
On his first followup appointment, Mitchell’s
mother had good news to report. Though Mitchell
had wet the bed the day after starting the remedy,
he had not done so since. His teachers reported
that his behaviour in class had improved; he
was paying attention and there had been no
episodes of tears or anger.
Mitchell also seemed less tired. He played for the
full length of school breaks and although still
tired on arriving home, did not need to sleep until
bedtime.
Mitchell’s condition and energy levels continued
to improve over the following months of
treatment. His bed-wetting stopped along with
the nail biting, and the nightly leg pains
disappeared. Mitch’s “sleep shouting” also
ceased.
On his visits to the clinic over this period, I saw
him change from a boy full of bravado and
suppressed anger, to one who was happy and
calm. His mother said he had become more
confident and no longer needed to boast or act
the fool to attract friends. His teachers reported
that he had made a huge improvement with
writing and spelling and that problems arising
from his apparent dyslexia were minimal.
I now see Mitch only occasionally as small
problems arise. He continues to manage his
schoolwork well and has an improved level of
confidence. He no longer complains of not having
friends. As a result, school has become a much
more pleasant place for him.

Lycopodium clavatum (Lyc)

Lycopodium is a  remedy that
treats a wide variety of acute and chronic
complaints. On the physical level it mainly deals
with symptoms arising from complaints of the
gastrointestinal system (including the liver) such
as gall-stones, cirrhosis, Crohn’s disease,
hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, gastric and
duodenal ulcers, but only when the characteristic
symptoms match those of Lycopodium.
It also treats types of symptoms of arthritis,
asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, dyslexia,
eczema, ovarian cysts and other conditions, again,
as long as the characteristic symptoms fall within
the Lycopodium sphere of action.
On the mental/emotional level, those needing
Lycopodium experience lack of confidence and feel
inferior to strong personalities though they may
muster a false bravado and pretend to be
extroverted or assertive. Bragging or boasting to
present themselves better than they feel is a trait
seen in both children and adults.
Children in a “Lycopodium state” may become
angry, bossy, and rude with a parent who lacks
firmness but they never display this behaviour to
adults whom they don’t know or who set firm
boundaries.
Fran Sheffield
Homeopathy Plus.com.