Thorn Apple

Summary

We examine the case of eighteen-year-old Lily with learning difficulties. She was remembering events she witnessed when her father became violent prior to her parentsʼ divorce. She developed violent and obsessional behaviour at home and before visiting her father for weekends. The mental health team were already involved before things reached a critical point when Lily attacked her motherʼs partner with a kitchen knife. We arranged an urgent appointment the day before the psychiatric crisis team assessed Lily. We follow Lilyʼs response to the remedy, along with two spells in a respite home to relieve tensions at home. Her mother is convinced that homeopathic treatment spared Lily being sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Key words

Stramonium - Obsessional behaviour - Violent outbursts - Risperidone - Mental Health Act