The language of observation

Just to start a new discussion on translating the language presented by our patients.
1-the symbols that come up in our patients dream state-how do we use translate this information.
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2-the verbal dialogue our patient presents to us,is it the true self speaking or is it clouded by iatrogenic drug induced thoughts?
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3-The patients physical language of gestures/movement/smells/posture.etc
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4-the feedback on your patient from their close family/relatives ,what is that language trying to tell you that the patient has not told you?
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5-the language of crying in babies,it all indicates something-do you fully understand this?
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6-The language of coughing-----------------------

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Seyedaghanoor Sadeghi on October 27, 2009 at 3:04pm

Respectful Mrs.Gina
Salam (Hi)
Thank you for sharing me in your important discussions. We really need to care more and more in our patient's verbatim. Translating patient's language to repertory rubrics is the key to finding proper remedy, indeed.
Good Luck and BEST Wishes,Sadeghi

Permalink Reply by Vaikunthanath das Kaviraj. on October 27, 2009 at 3:31pm

1. Dreams can reveal a lot, but it depens on the skills of the homoeopath in interpreting them. For instance flying: today people associate this with remedies made from birds. I wonder if that is not too limited an approach....

2. If we first determine what iatrogenic symptoms are present we can include them in the totality - it is quite conceivable and in some cases unavoidable that the patient's words are coloured by their allopathic meds prescription - particularly with the psychotropic substances such as prozac and other meds in that class. They often produce raging anger and can easily lead to violent behaviour as we see in the solanacea. So it requires very careful assessment.

3. This can tell you so much that on first sight you can recognise the remedy. How does the patient shake hands and how does the hand feel? if wet and clammy, I think of Calc.c or Nat.mur. among others and depending on pysical build.
How does he sit in the chair? If on the edge and eager to tell, I think of Phos. If with crossed arms and insecure, I think of Lyc. If sitting back and saying i should tell what is wrong, I think of Ars.
How is he dressed tells a great deal too. immaculate: Ars. Sloppy, Sul. Casual Nat.mur. Powerdressing woman Sep. and so on.
His physical build tells also its own tale. Pale alabaster skin and bright eyes: Phos. Tub. Sharp facial features: Sep. Sil.. Little bit chubby and floral dresses: Puls. Narrow hips and broad shoulders: Lyc.
Nervous and tense: Arg.nit. Nit.ac.
Language: Worried: Arg.nit. Nit.ac. Sad when telling symptoms: Puls. Sad whe thinking about sorrow: Sep. When crying and runnig off to bathroom: Nat.mur. Boisterous: Lyc. Shy: Lyc. Learned: Sul. Graph.
Sour smell: Calc salts. Rotten Eggs: Sul. Offensive: Psor. Sil. Ars.

4. Oftern they speak about things the patient is ashamed or embarrassed to reveal.

5. Crying plaintive, colic, pain. Crying loud and insistent. Teething, earaches, headaches. Screaming: encephalitis, vaccine damage.

6. Cough: Kent advises us to imitate the coughs so that we can learn from where to cough originates. He says if you try that you can know whether it is the throat, the larynx, the pharynx, the bronchial tubes, the lungs or even the belly.

These are but a few eamples of course but it is to give a general idea.

Permalink Reply by Debby Bruck on October 27, 2009 at 3:48pm

Hi Gina ~ I believe this conversation can be broken up into six different discussions, one for each of the items listed.

Permalink Reply by Gina Tyler DHOM on October 28, 2009 at 10:51pm

Thanks Kaviraj
As usual you have posted some wonderfull facts

Permalink Reply by Gina Tyler DHOM on October 28, 2009 at 10:57pm

To add on #2 question
I just did a casetaking today on a 2yr old for the flu.
His mother kept saying 'when he is on the Motrin I give him he acts this way that way........."
When he is NOT on Motrin "he does this and does that....................."

I explained to her that when this baby is under the influence of over the counter meds like "Motrin' he acts totally different because he is under a pain/fever reducing drug"
Those are NOT the true symptoms I WANT.
Those are based on Iatrogenic symptoms,useless to me.Not a clear picture.

Think about how many of your patients take prescription drugs?
You dont have their true persona in front of you.
Its clouded by the drug induced fog that complicates your casetaking.

Permalink Reply by David A. Johnson on October 27, 2009 at 7:45pm

When a patient shares a dream with me, I've found it very helpful to ask about the experience, sensation and feeling in the dream. Pursuing this line of questioning with the patient can go a long ways towards clarifying their fundamental state of distress.

Permalink Reply by Debby Bruck on October 28, 2009 at 1:31am

There is a wonderful post on CRYING BABY by Dr Rafeeque

Permalink Reply by Gina Tyler DHOM on October 28, 2009 at 10:50pm

Thanks debby I have posted a coment on that subject aswell

Permalink Reply by Danny Quaranto on October 31, 2009 at 3:36pm

All comments thus far have been valuable tid-bits. See yourself as the dragon slayer, and the dragon does not want to be discovered. I.E. patients alway lie. How they say it is more important than what they say. ALWAYS interview at least one other family member or friend. None of us see ourselves exactly the same as other people who interact with us. Friends and family give us that other perspective.
Danny

Permalink Reply by Vaikunthanath das Kaviraj. on October 31, 2009 at 3:48pm

I find the notion that the patient always lies a reprehensive notion. For if this is so - everybody always lies and so do you and I. We are all patients - there are no healthy people left. So i don't believe you. Now what?

Permalink Reply by Debby Bruck on October 31, 2009 at 4:32pm

I actually take each person's word as their truth. Thus, I listen to what they say and believe this as true for them. Remember it is in the eyes of the beholder. In fact, by listening with compassion, we build a bond of trust with the patient so more can be revealed.

Permalink Reply by Vaikunthanath das Kaviraj. on November 2, 2009 at 4:24pm

Well, i think of Thuja in such cases or Medorrhinum, who may "lie", because they feel vulnarable. "Felt as if made of glass" in Thuja is often seen as fragile, while i see it as someone who thinks others may see 'through" his deceptions and avoidances caused by vulnerability.

As many times people know exactly what is wrong with them - the patient is an expert on his own suffering. The idea that he knows not, is generated by allopathy, who see the patient as ignorant. This many people simply believe. However, he/she knows perfectly well what is wrong with him, because that is why he came to see you in the first place. People do not go see the doctor for social chats.