The patch of eczema didn’t just itch, it wept, causing 20-year-old Kayla to seek the help of an “alte
ative health” doctor. She was due on a large photo shoot in week; the rash HAD to be gone by then. The model had seen several skin specialists, taken several different drugs, used a few different creams, and in the end, nothing had changed. In a drastic effort, she called “one of those natural doctors.”
Kayla was the picture of perfection, calm and serene, not a hair out of place. She smiled, sat tall and gave the impression that nothing bothered her. But something was obviously “bothering” her because she had eczema wouldn’t go away for the past 3 months.
The Compensated State
Each person makes changes in his/her life to accommodate socially acceptable behaviors, cultural norms, etc. For example, a child is taught to be quiet in church or to sit still in class. People also make changes based on their PERCEPTIONS. If a man perceives that he will be accepted by his parents only if he has a high-paying job, he will work very hard to find that job and keep it, even if he doesn’t like it. He will then make mental and physical changes that may go against his own inner voice just so that he can continue to be accepted by his parents.
For the most part, the Compensated State is what people see in others. People put “their best foot forward.” Often times, what they feel inside, who they actually are, is a direct opposite of what is shown on the outside.
Homeopathic practitioners understand the Compensated State. It is their job to find the Uncompensated State—the person behind the mask.
Who Was Kayla Really?
The best way to begin an interview to find the person behind the mask is to have the person tell you a little about himself/herself. For Kayla, she stated how nothing bothers her, that she can be in a tornado and she’ll be just fine. She discussed how she has great pride in being calm when everyone else panics. In fact, she had been on a photo shoot when a tornado was spotted by the cameraman. She had sat calmly, as if nothing had been going on, while everyone else had sought safety.
She had once been in a restaurant when it was being robbed. She was calm and relaxed, as if nothing was happening. Those around her cried or hid their heads, ducking down. Kayla was calm.
Kayla had even been strong and showed no emotion when her only brother, age 15, had committed suicide. “I didn’t shed one tear. I was tough for everyone else.”
Kayla went on to relay several other stories of her bravery and courage. “Nothing fazes me,” she said calmly.
“Except this eczema on my neck.” The patches itched and wept a watery yellow fluid constantly. The patches were in the same area on both sides of her neck.
When asked about the history of the eczema, she stated she had spurts of it here-and-there throughout her life, usually when something happened that was highly traumatic or before a big photo shoot; but that never stopped her. “Nothing stops me either.” When she had a back injury after a fall, she went right back to work as soon as she left the hospital. “The doctor told me to rest for a few days, but I didn’t. I went right to work and dealt with it. No days off for me! I didn’t even let anyone help me at home.”
When asked why she had to work when others would have listened to the doctor, she stated that she had to be better than everyone else; she couldn’t have flaws.
The theme being seen was that Kayla:
• --Expressed no emotions.
• --Always appeared calm and in control.
• --Had a flare-up of eczema right before important events.
• --Was not dependent upon anyone.
• --Would not slow down for anything.
And it was all Compensation. Kayla was not the person she presented to society. Over the years, she had learned to suppress all emotions, become independent, and would not allow anyone to see who she really was (or to see her flaws).
Remedy Selection
Even in the face of terrifying ordeals (being robbed, approaching tornado, death of brother), Kayla maintained control and did not cry, express sadness, or anything. She was in complete control. Whereas many would consider this courageous, it was a mask in Kayla’s case. She was just as panicky as everyone else; she just didn’t show it.
Having flare-ups of eczema right before important events was her body’s way of trying to slow her down, keep her from facing things that frightened her. She wanted to portray to the world that she was perfect, without flaws—eczema was on the skin and could be seen—it showed the world how she felt inside, that she felt she was flawed, not perfect, lacking in self-confidence.
Because she was sensitive to how she was perceived by others, a plant kingdom remedy seemed to be indicated. And, because of the high degree of compensation to keep others from seeing who she truly was inside, and her fears, this indicated the sycotic miasm.
A miasm is the depth and severity of the disease’s impact on a person’s life and health. There are 10 different miasms (although some practitioners only acknowledge 3 or 4). It would take another article to discuss each in depth. But for the most part, the degree of impact defines the miasm.
Several of the confirming symptoms were that she wore glasses because her eyes were slow to accommodate when looking far away then close, and drinking alcohol or coffee made her feel better.
Kayla was given Gelsemium 30C.
Kayla Couldn’t Weep, So Her Eczema Did
Kayla’s Compensated State was to appear courageous and show no emotion in the face of shock and bad news; she always had to be in control, never allow anyone to see her cry. When about to be faced with a trying situation (big photo shoot) where others may see her flaws, the eczema would appear. When she was unable to cry because of her Compensated State, the eczema did it for her. On the outside, Kayla may have appeared to be confident, strong, courageous and not fazed by life’s challenges; but on the inside, she lacked self-confidence and was filled with anxiety and panic. And she felt she had to hide from her true self—to let no one see her faults.
She did well on the Gelsemium. In time the eczema disappeared, and to some extent Kayla was able to see how the Compensated State was affecting her health. Perhaps in time more awareness will occur and people will learn who Kayla really is.
Best wishes,
Dr. Ronda Behnke Theysr
Homeopathic Centers of America
Disclaimer: The information provided by Dr. Ronda Behnke Theys is for educational purposes only. It is important that you not make health decisions or stop any medication without first consulting your personal physician or health care provider.