Homoeopathy for the ‘Orchid Child’

Dr Apoorva N Deshpande MD (Hom)

While studying children, researchers of behavioural psychology have categorized  them broadly into 2 categories- the dandelions and the orchids. The term “Orchid child” surfaced in the early part of the 21st century.

The dandelion is a resilient flower- growing and thriving in almost any circumstances; similarly, the dandelion children are perseverant through the big and small challenges life brings upon them. An orchid child is, however, different. Just like the orchid flowers, these children need highly specific environment to bloom and are easily thrown off course by most of the life situations.

In the study on the thriving capacity and coping strategies of children, researchers found that about 1/5th of kids suffered and struggled with certain everyday situations, that majority of them did not.

What characterizes an orchid child is its high level of sensitivity. This ‘hypersensitivity’ is mainly towards their environment. The consideration of an environment while considering of a child mainly relates to the various stimuli a

child receives from the surroundings and his own adaptability towards these stimuli which are nothing but the reaction patterns the child develops. Minuscule changes (stimuli) to which most children are immune on a day to day basis can derail orchid children by shaking up their economy.

The beginning life of these children is not an issue as most infants and toddlers are clingy and fussy and often big crowds and new situations throw them into a jitter- out of their comfort zone. The school age , though, wears down such sensitive souls- and more so their parents. These children thrive on routine activity. Picky eating, sensitivity to noise, having a hard time adjusting to change are the highlights of an orchid child. Orchid children tend to be introvert- this reaction comes from the disappointment they feel in social situations when they are often incorrectly understood and or bluntly remarked at. Orchid children are at a higher risk for behavioural issues, depression, substance dependency and an un- proportionate stress response.

A seed has no liberty to decide in what flower it will blossom into. Researches believe that genetics play an important part in making children fall into the fragile orchid category.

Every child is special to its parents and all parents love their children the way they are: an orchid or dandelion. Making a parent aware of the orchid in their child does not label them for sympathy, but infact empowers them. Parents of orchid children need to understand that just like their child is hypersensitive to environmental changes (read situations), he is also highly susceptible to the supportive and positive environments. Numerous articles go to say- “ …children who grow up in supportive environments (one which supports their specific needs maximally) thrive well often….with a good environment and solid parenting, orchid kids can grow up to be society’s most creative, successful and happy people.”

When handled carefully, the orchid child will be capable enough to develop normal response pattern as opposed to the exaggerated one- and this in the long run will help them understand and manage themselves better. This understanding will keep them from spiraling into all the negative outcomes associated with a hypersensitive child.

What an orchid needs to know in order to bloom is that its care-givers show faith in its potential abilities.

“ children cases have the most fantastic results with homoeopathy…” 

( Aphorism $ 153 Organon of Medicine)
It has been observed that orchid children are more prone to illness: most often of the respiratory kind. In such situations, frequent visits to the doctor, frequent absenteeism from school and the burden of the conventional medical treatment in itself becomes a stress to the child. However, with a gentle therapy like homoeopathy, orchids experience less illnesses and a marked improvement in the quality of life. A 30 case series study done on children suffering from recurrent respiratory disorders where Murphy repertory was used for repertorisation, evidenced a marked improvement in quality of life of the children along with reduction in intensity and frequency of recurrences of illness.

The general hypersensitivity exhibited by the orchid children is infact a benefit while preparing any intervention plans for them. Being highly susceptible, they respond extremely well to our potent medicines.

While studying a child according to homoeopathic principles, the child’s mental and physical makeup are studied and considered against the background of a theoretically average normal child. We note the salient features in which the child under consideration differs from this theoretical norm- whatever be the title of the disease. A homoeopath understands that an orchid child is only an individual which has different needs than the predetermined normal child.

Homoeopathy is a highly viable option which will immensely help parents raise an orchid in a crowd a dandelions.

REFERENCES:

1. Ramirez K. Raising an orchid child in a dandelion world.
2. Wray H. On the trail of Orchid child. Scientific American Mind. Nov 2011.
3. Thomas W., Ellis B. Biological sensitivity to context: An evolutionary
   developmental theory of the origins and functions of stress reactivity.
   Developmental Psychopathology. Vol 17 (2). June 2005: 271-301
4. Dr. Hahnemann S. Organon of Medicine.
5. Dr. Foubister D.M. Pediatrics and Homoeopathy.

Dr. Apoorva N. Deshpande M.D. (Hom.)Homoeopathic Repertory
Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Homoeopathic Medical College, Pune
M.S. (Psychotherapy & Counseling)
Email: drapoorvadeshpande@gmail.com