Optimization of homoeopathy in the management of post-traumatic stress disorder, the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective case series

ABSTRACT

Psychological fragility caused to human life has been the largest aftermath of the pandemic posing a raised public health concern globally. This psychological impact is identified as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which was the most commonly diagnosed psychological disorder during this pandemic. These cases, if left untreated and unidentified may take a devastating transformation into psychotic disorders and cause gross damage to the individual and the community by disrupting human relations. Keeping in view the beneficial role of Homoeopathy in dealing with psychological disorders based on its philosophy and previous studies, a clinical case series of 10 PTSD cases successfully treated with Homoeopathy during this pandemic are presented here. 10 cases of PTSD consulted during the first wave of pandemic diagnosed based on the clinical picture analogous to PTSD cluster symptomatology from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) and objectively through Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5) were treated with Homoeopathic intervention. Homeopathic medicine was prescribed based on the totality of each case through repertorization and in consultation with the sourcebooks of Homoeopathic Materia Medica (HMM). The cases were followed monthly for clinical improvement and every three months using the CAPS-5 score. The outcome was assessed after six months clinically and objectively through the CAPS-5 score. At the end of one year, further to assess the casual attribution of clinical outcome to homoeopathic intervention, validated MONARCH (Modified Naranjo Criteria for Homoeopathy) tool was utilized. The 10 diagnosed PTSD cases showed marked improvement assessed after one year of Homoeopathic treatment. Significant improvement was found in the clinical picture affirmed through CAPS-5 score and MONARCH tool. Homoeopathic medicines showed a significantly beneficial role in the management of PTSD during the pandemic in the presented 10 cases. Further validation through well-designed clinical trials is warranted.