A woman we shall call Elaine first came for a homeopathic consultation a number of years ago. A teacher and artist in her 50's, she had struggled with depression for nearly her entire life, along with bouts of severe insomnia when she would go sleepless for days. A few years earlier, she had seen another homeopath who had been able to help her to a certain degree. But since Elaine had moved out of the area and was still prone to frequent relapses, the homeopath suggested she consult with someone else.
It's the Serotonin, right?
A patient we'll call David came for a consultation seeking help regarding a mood disorder. Variously diagnosed as depression or anxiety - or both, it had plagued him for most of his adult life. Most of his emotions seemed tied up with his working. As a middle aged professional who ran his own small firm, he placed a great deal of pressure on himself to perform up to his own high standards and easily fell into despair about what he perceived as his professional inadequacies.