Role of emotions in homoeopathy

Dr P Mounika

Abstract
Our emotions govern our lives which have influence on our thoughts, perceptions, attitude, learning, making logical decisions based on our experiences in life. Because they affect the way we think and the way we feel or perceive it. They are the binding forces which add colour and spicy to our living by providing us thrill, pleasure, excitement making our life interesting. They infinitely varied and bring changes by setting a mission/ aim to lead our lives in fulfilment. They have the capacity to make the individual or break the individual at same time varied from one person to another. Psychology of emotions constitutes our behavioural and physical reactions to them. This is to provide basic idea of role of emotions in one’s life with aspects of psychology, nature and characteristics, types, physiology and biochemistry along with its importance in homoeopathy.

Key words: emotions, psychology, homoeopathy, physiology.

Introduction
Etymologically the word emotion is derived from the Latin word ‘e’ out, ‘movere’ to move. This also means ‘stir up’,‘excited, or to agitate. Charles G. Morris defines emotion, “A complex affective experience that involves diffuse physiological changes and can be expressed overtly in characteristic behaviour patterns.” Young states emotion is an acutely disturbed affective process or state which originates in the psychological situation and which is revealed by marked bodily changes in smooth muscles, glands and gross behaviour.

Psychologists claimed our brain has 90% feelings and 10 % reasoning capacity. Emotions have helped humans evolve and survive. Their impact on the individual depends on depth of one’s own reactions to their situations. In some it may have positive effect in others may have negative effect which is purely based on the fact that how they perceive them within one’s self.

Charles Darwin in 19th century said that, there is an innate or inborn basis for the facial expression of certain emotions. Paul Ekman and Wallace Friesen says, face can be controlled more easily when trying to deceive someone but not easy to control gestures of hands, feet and legs. Paul Ekman identified 6 basic emotions like happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise and disgust. According to James- Lange theory, William James, first Psychologist attempted a scientific explanation of emotion in 1884. It advocates that emotions spring from physiological reactions. When a stimulus persists our body triggers off the psychological feeling which makes us experience the emotion.

Emotion has 3 parts, subjective experiences, physiological responses and behavioural responses. They can be distinguished from feelings, mood and affect. Feelings are the subjective experience associated with an emotion. Mood is an emotional state that is general and extended in time. Affect encompasses feelings and mood and categories of emotion. Emotion functions to organize and motivate behaviour, influence learning and memory, directs perception and attention, communicate with others, may increase, decrease or regulate arousal. Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer 1^st coined the term emotional intelligence which is the ability to perceive, control and evaluate emotions.

Persons who are emotionally intelligent understands their emotions and of others to move towards personal and social growth. Specific emotional problems are fear, phobias, fixations, sadness and depression , mood disorders, grief and bereavement, anger and irritability, hatred and jealousy, exhaustion and chronic fatigue, disturbed sleep patterns, eating disorders related to body image, digestive upsets, shock, trauma and abuse, low libido, sexual problems, premenstrual syndrome and menopause. One trauma may follow another to produce a state of mixed emotions. According to psychodynamic theory, the unconscious mind constantly strives to protect the conscious mind from the effects of emotions. Coping of emotions is operated by a series of defence mechanisms such as denial, projection, displacement, isolation, sublimation, repression, rationalisation and conversion. Thus the individual comes to normal state.

NATURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF EMOTIONS– Emotions are Universal, Personal and Individualistic associated with some instincts or biological drives which are the product of perception. The core of an emotion is feeling which are prevalent in every living organism and present at all stages of development may rise abruptly but subside slowly. Emotions have the quality of displacement. One emotion can give rise to number of similar emotions, same stimuli arouse different emotions and same emotions can be aroused by different stimuli.  There is a negative correlation between upsurge of emotions and intelligence.

PHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES –

INTERNAL CHANGES- Heart beat increases, breathing becomes rapid and deep, activity of stomach and gastrointestinal system, hormonal levels in blood, change in  body temperature,  peripheral vessels of Skin are constricted,  changes in muscle tension,  increase in blood glucose levels.

EXTERNAL CHANGES-Changes in body language like facial expressions, body posture, gestures,  pupils of eyes dilates, head movements, movements in arms, hands, legs ,in voice or vocal expression, mouth becomes dry,

Types of Emotion:- Three types of classification deliberated:-

1. A) one group psychologists classify into –

1.Simple emotions- only one emotion exists like fear, anger, sadness etc.

2.Complex Emotions- more than one emotion exists at one time like hatred and kindness.

1. B) Another group psychologists classify into-

1.Egoistic– related to self like fear and anger.

2.Ego-Altruistic- depends on opinion of others and self-satisfaction such as praise and power.

3.Altruistic-related to help others like sympathy and empathy.

4.Impersonal- ideal aspects are included like beauty , morality, religious, ethics and truth.

C)Third classification or the latest classification:-

1.Positive Emotion-  They are helpful and essential to the normal development of an individual which are pleasant like happiness, curiosity, amusement.

2.Negative Emotion-  They are harmful to the well-being and development of an individual which are unpleasant like fear, anger, jealousy.

It should not be concluded that experiencing a positive emotion is good and experiencing a negative emotions is bad. Sometimes negative emotions will motivate us to achieve our goals in positive manner.

Factors- The frequency, intensity, situation, occasion, nature of stimulus and even learning can modify emotions. Expressing several emotions at one time are hard to judge.

• Identification and measurement – Effects of emotion on behaviour can be measured, but emotion itself is not easy to analyze objectively. Following methods gives us some significant clues: Introspective method and Observation of facial expression. They can be measured by using Sphygmomanometer and lie detector.

 PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY:-  Our brain is involved in perception and evaluation of situations which directs the behaviour driven by emotions. Our brain controls somatic and autonomic activity patterns influencing stronger emotions like fear, anger and pleasure.

Role of autonomic nervous system– It controls cognitive and environmental stimuli responses which gives rise to emotions.

• Sympathetic nervous system– It stimulates adrenal glands to release adrenaline and noradrenaline to peripheral targets like organs, glands, muscles into blood to prepare the body for vigorous activity. Eg- increased blood pressure and sugar level, dry mouth, respiration increases, pupils enlarge, contraction of digestive muscles, sweating.
• Parasympathetic nervous system- It activates itself to rescue the body releasing acetylcholine onto peripheral targets to relax the body after the activity is over. Eg- slows heart beat, reduces blood pressure, stomach and intestine starts up into normal state of behaviour.

Role of Limbic System:-

• Hypothalamus- It restrains execution of emotional behaviour of primitive emotions like rage, sex, fear by regulating hormones via pituitary gland.
• Thalamus – It involves in processing and regulating emotions in the formation and storage of memories, sexual arousal and learning.
• Amygdala – It is responsible for processing positive and negative emotions. Damage to it impairs recognition and expression of fear, anger and happiness. Damage to basal ganglia impairs recognition and expression of disgust.
• Pituitary– It receives message from hypothalamus relays signals to endocrine glands to regulate hormones.

Role of Cortex :- This  is concerned with sensation, learning, speech, memory ,reasoning, etc. It helps in interpreting the situation and decide whether or not an emotion is to be provoked. When damaged or under the influence of alcohol the person becomes extremely emotional and does or say wrong things.

Role of Cerebral hemispheres– Right hemisphere is highly active when associated with depression and flexion/ avoidant emotions. Right is dominant for negative emotions and Left dominant for positive emotions. Left hemisphere is relatively low activity in left frontal lobe is associated with depression. Damage to right hemisphere often leaves individuals emotionally indifferent and unable to read many emotions.

Role of Neurotransmitters- They are building blocks which are balanced by nutrition, health status, environmental factors and external emotional stimulus. Various aspects of personality can be altered by these. There are 6 neurotransmitters that play a role in Emotion as follows ;

• Nor-adrenaline– This helps in fast memory, quick reacting time, alertness and attention, goal seeking, sexual behaviour and mood elevation action. It causes vigilance, hostility, anxiety, dilation of pupils, vasoconstriction increases heart rate and blood pressure.
• Histamine– It regulates cognition, circadian rhythms and neuro-endocrine activities. It causes schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and neuro-degeneration if it is low in the blood.
• Serotonin– It regulates mood, sleep, appetite and wound healing. A person may become aggressive and impulsive having difficulty in coping up strong emotions such as depression and sensitivity if it lowers in the body. Disruption of this leads to Anxiety disorder, depression, social behaviour and sexual problems, wake-up cycle, obesity or eating disorders.
• Acetylcholine – It controls heart rate, digestion, salivation, discharge of urine and sexual arousal and also associated with learning and memory. When a person is angry, this weakens heart and stiffens arteries triggering emotions such as depression and anxiety leading to sudden burst out into tears. It triggers heart attack if cholesterol is high. It works in conjunction with calcium and magnesium. It can be a part in Alzheimer’s disease.
• Gamma-Amino Butyric acid (GABA) – A natural tranquiliser reducing fear, panic and anxiety by giving good sleep. It reduces night time incontinence as it controls prolactin which stimulates urination. However low levels makes one feel restless and anxious. Most bipolar patients have low levels of GABA.
• Dopamine – It helps in muscle control, and ovulation by promoting well being. However, low levels can cause mood swings and cognitive problems which makes a person feel depressed and worried. A person can lose the ability to think rationally if it is shortage. Excess in limbic and not enough in cortex can produce suspiciousness and possible paranoia. Its shortage in frontal lobe reduces memory. It relieves pain and boosts feelings of pleasure when it increases in frontal lobe.

HORMONES : – There are some hormones which are especially responsible for the regulation of emotions and controlling them.

• Oestrogen – when the level decreases than threshold women may start to feel increase level of anxiety and mood swing, results to irritability and confusion.
• Progesterone – This is responsible in promoting good sleep and improving libido. Imbalance can lead to insomnia, headaches, and anxiety.
• Testosterone – Imbalance in this would result to decreased sex drive in men.
• Norepinephrine and Epinephrine – When a person is at fear of harm, loose or hurt, this provokes stress hormone causing rise in blood pressure leaving the body with high temperature, speedy metabolism, and faster heart rate making the person more alert and focused. On the other hand, Epinephrine brings out the arousal of extreme emotions such as fear, anger, or amusement in reaction with the different instances a person is involved in. (“adrenaline rush.”)
• Oxytocin – It is love hormone responsible for reproductive function in humans which is released during sexual orgasm in couples building good interpersonal relationship.

Importance of emotions in homoeopathy –

Emotions are experienced by almost everybody in one or the other situations in their life time. Life would be very dull if there are no emotions as they are part of our life. They are often accompanied by physical sensation and a behavioural pattern which has effects on the mind, body and environment. Any individual facing a stressful situation either by physical or emotional, they are liable to respond to it in the form of anger, anxiety, guilty, sadness etc, differing with other individuals in their true forms. This is where Homoeopathy plays an important role in dealing with emotions. As they can initiate, aggravate or precipitate the illness in the individual due to its impact on the physical body.

Homoeopathy mainly focuses on the individuals mental and emotional symptoms in order to study the person as a whole. When dealing with emotional problems, assessment should be done on the individuals likes, dislikes, fears, delusions, illusions, hallucinations, delirium, confusion, dullness, absorbed in thoughts, comprehensive power, imbecility , mental activity vexation, guilt, anxieties, worry, hates, any prolonged grief, passions, aspiration, dreams, anger, jealousy or other emotions. Along with individuals nature, personality, intellect, physical symptoms and altered sensations which are the leading points. Ailments from emotions: if suppressed in the  form of discharges, such as menses, sweat, leucorrhoea, diarrhoea, catarrh etc are to be taken into consideration.

In 5 aphorism, he says that psychological responses such as fear, shock, over joy, jealousy and grief acts as nervous exciting causes. we can prevent diseases by giving advice to cope up with this exposure. H. A. Robert’s in his essay, “the deflected current” says that patients will not reveal their personal matters regarding their anxiety, worries, financial loss, stress due to tension in managing demands in life. These diversions may affect action of medicine as the domestic condition of a person depends on his health.

In 83 aphorism, he states the qualities of a physician. He should possess sound senses, attention in observing, freedom from prejudice and fidelity in tracing the picture of disease. The physician should ask more details on state of disposition of mind (88 aphorism).In  footnote of 90 aphorism, he says to concentrate on peculiar,  queer, rare and strange symptoms for individualisation. Patient’s personal details also noted regarding dressing patterns, mannerisms, sitting posture, how he behaves during the visit-whether he was anxious, sad, and hopeful also observe his expression of eyes etc.

When a correct remedy is chosen based on the principles of homoeopathy the emotional problems will resolve first as the mind is the highest realm and most important organ. Based on Hering’s law of cure, it occurs from above downwards, from within outwards, from major organs to lesser organs and in the reverse order of the appearance of the symptoms. When the Vital force starts healing process if there has been suppression of emotions in the past, they may recur for a short time and is a good sign which resolves on its own afterwards restoring the individual back to normal healthy state. Hahnemann realised the importance of emotions before the birth of scientific psychology. Kent also explained emotions in relation to sickness in his lectures of philosophy.

126 aphorism, deals with the prover while proving a medicine must avoid over exertion of mind and body, all sorts of dissipation and disturbing passions. He must avoid all things which distracts the attention and to devote himself in careful observation of changes occurring in him. He must able to express and describe his sensations in accurate terms. In 215 aphorism, he says when there is increase in derangement of mental disposition there will be decline of corporeal symptoms in so called one sided diseases. 216 aphorism deals with the affections of grosser corporeal organs become transferred and conducted to almost, spiritual, mental and emotional organs which the anatomist has never yet and never will reach with his scalpel.(somato-psychic type) 217 aphorism deals with a remedy is to be prescribed based on the possible similarity with corporeal morbid symptoms along with present mental and emotional state has to be included. Thus antiposric treatment to be given which has capability to produce similar striking mental symptoms have to be selected(220 aphorism).

221 aphorism deals with mental diseases appearing suddenly as acute caused by exciting causes such as fright, vexation, abuse of spirituous liquors etc. They are to be treated initially with acute remedies( bell, acon, stram) followed by antipsoric treatment later to prevent recurrence.(223 aphorism). In footnote of 224 aphorism, mental diseases arising from prolonged emotional causes like grief/ uneasiness felt upon body as if it restores lost harmony. But the body puts it in greater disorder reacting upon organs of mind and disposition by transferring its sufferings on to them. In 225 aphorism, in 6^th edition of Organon Hahnemann says that mental diseases resulting from prolonged emotional causes (Psycho-somatic type). They are to be treated by means of psychical remedies such as display of confidence, friendly exhortations and sensible advice often by well disguised deception. An appropriate diet and regimen will re-establish the health of the body (226 aphorism ). Antipsoric treatment should be given to prevent recurrence which might readily occur (228 aphorism).

Some patterns of emotions with Homoeopathic perspective –

• Anger– it is the sign of life and spirit. It is a strong feeling of grievance and displeasure.

Homoeopathic remedies- Chamomilla, Staphysagria, Natrum -mur.

• Jealousy and Envy: – they come from the feeling of insecurity and inadequacy in situations. In jealousy:-Feeling-deprived of something. In envy:-Feeling-as if immediate stimulus is a possession of another person.

Homoeopathic Remedies- Lachesis, Hyoscyamus, Nux vomica.

• GRIEF:-This results from loss of loved ones/ things which can be expressed in the form of disappointment.

 Homoeopathic remedies- Ignatia ,Natrum mur.

• JOY:- It’s an outcome of fulfillment of one’s desire which is a sign of good health which can be expressed by smiling, laughing, jumping about, clapping, dancing, glittering eyes etc. Although it makes us happy and contented yet we should not exceed its limit which may prove harmful.

Homoeopathic remedy-  coffea.

• Love:- It is a complex emotion which is blend of Mercy, sympathy, affection and even sex. Selfishness and selflessness are found.

Homoeopathic remedies- Ignatia, Phosphoric acid, Natrum mur.

• AFFECTIONS– They are fond of tender feelings. It is positive and pleasant emotion articulated towards a person or thing.

Homoeopathic remedies- arsenic, pulsatilla,ignatia.

• SENTIMENTS– It is refined/tender feeling which is a weak emotion.

Homoeopathic remedies-Nux –vomica, Phosphorus, Antim –crud.

There are other emotions apart from above mentioned like anxiety, disgust, fear, confusion, horror,  surprise, sadness, trust, anticipation, courage, wonder etc…

Conclusion
Homoeopathy gives great importance to mental health as well as physical health. Homoeopathy generally assumes that mind and body are not separate entities and both influence each other. It gives more importance to mental symptoms where emotions also equally play a role in individualisation for successful prescription. This is an attempt to state that emotions play important role in homoeopathy.

References

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Dr P. Mounika
PG scholar, Department of Psychiatry,
Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College,Deralakkate,  Manglore – 575018
Dr Girish Navada U K
Professor and HOD of Department of Psychiatry