666.74.13 Aethusa cynapium, Case
Case by Alex Leupen.
Man, 18, post-mononucleosis depression.
He had mononucleosis and is still very tired, feverish and ‘fluish’ and sometimes has a sore throat. He lives at home and did not manage to finish high school. He is depressed, lies in bed and sleeps a lot, wanting to be left alone. His mother has to bring food to his room, since he will not come to the table. He is thin and eats irregularly. He becomes irritated with his mother becomes concerned about him.
His mother describes him as a “visual thinker”. He is always ready to help others but refuses help for himself. He has a fear of failure and has failed his driver’s license three times. He is sometimes irritable and angry. As a child he has been teased a lot.
At 16, a friend of his was murdered at a train station while he was present; he had refused to hand over his mobile phone and was then stabbed to death. He never told his parents about this, they heard it later from a cousin. Since this incident he has changed considerably, has become suspicious and does not trust people anymore.
Analysis
Apiaceae: sudden, unexpected violence or attack; accidents; numbness, stupefaction, dullness and sleep; visual thinker.
Aethusa: eating disorders; mistrusts his fellow humans.
Stage 13: retreat into seclusion.
Follow up
After a few doses of Aethusa, he literally came out of his room and ate with the others at the table. He resumed his apprenticeship. His energy returned and two years later he had a girlfriend.