Section 9
Nervous-Mental

HYPERACTIVITY (Hyperkinesis)

SYMPTOMS—Cannot sit still, short attention span, impulsive acts before one thinks, runs rather than walks, forgets easily, moody, temper tantrums, irritated and indifferent when disciplined, determined to get his own way.

Sleep disturbances, clumsiness, head-knocking, bothers other children, speech and hearing disorders, extreme distractibility, absent-mindedness, unable to follow a series of instructions.

Not all symptoms are found in any one child. The symptoms are not limited to children, but are also found in some adults.

Keep in mind that most children display some hyperactive symptoms at times.

CAUSES—Hyperactivity is now called "attention deficit disorder" or, sometimes, "attention deficit hyperactivity disorder" (ADHD). Primarily occurring in children, it produces a variety of learning and behavior problems.

Some of the causes include:

Allergies to milk, wheat, chocolate, yeast, food additives, oranges, and antibiotics.

Lead poisoning can be a significant factor.

Eating too much sugar or sugar foods, smoking during pregnancy, oxygen deprivation at birth, prenatal trauma.

Artificial food additives, preservatives and foods containing salicylates, other food additives.

Low-protein diet.

Emotional problems and inadequate, inconsistent, or ineffective discipline in the home. Hyperactive children often control the situation in the home more than the parents. Because parents are too yielding, children find they can scream their way to dominance, and become uncontrollable.

When spoiled children enter school, they sometimes try to use overactivity to control their new environment.

Hyperactive children often have learning disabilities.

Certain types of fluorescent lights are overstimulating.

Overstimulation from television, competitive games, violent TV programs and, nutritional deficiencies are major factors.

Mothers who smoke are more likely to give birth to brain-damaged or hyperactive children.

Children from broken homes are more likely to have this problem.

A strong link has been established between learning disabilities and juvenile crime. Try to solve the problems early.

TREATMENT—

• Change whatever items, cited above, you are able.

• Provide the child with a nourishing diet, as discussed elsewhere in this book. This is important.

• Locate and eliminate food allergies. See "Allergies" and "Pulse Test."

• Avoid all foods containing salicylates.

• Foods that irritate the stomach or inflame the nerves must be removed from the child's diet. Avoid all refined sugar, fried, and junk foods from the diet. This includes soft drinks. Eliminate artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives. Do not attempt to only change the diet partway. Nourishing food, and only nourishing food, must become a way of life. It will help all in the home. It will be easier for the child to accept the new regime if the mother (and hopefully, father) does also.

• The parent must learn to control the situation, by training the child to obedience and self-control. This is vital. Teaching the child to obey you causes him to learn to control himself. This enables him to organize, and better manage, his mental discipline and his entire life.

• Regularity in rising, eating, bedtime, and other daily schedules is important.

—Also see "Dyslexia."

ENCOURAGEMENT—A strong, helpful grasp of the hand of a true friend is worth more than gold or silver. Christ has been such a friend to you. He asks that you be such a friend to others.

DYSLEXIA (a disturbance in the ability to read)

SYMPTOMS—A physical problem. The child's eyes actually see the letters backward, as compared to the normal child's eyes.

CAUSES—Dyslexia is sometimes called hyperactivity (which see), but there is a partial difference. Dyslexia is a complex syndrome rather than a specific disease.

In some instances, a true organic or biochemical brain injury has occurred. But most of the time, the problem is more easily treatable.

Food allergies are often a key problem.

TREATMENT—

• Food allergies should be located and eliminated. Food sensitivities can produce learning disabilities, which may appear to have organic origin.

• Beware of sugar, wheat, milk products, possibly certain other grains, and meat. In one or more (often several) of these may lie the problem.

• Carry out pulse tests (which see), to determine possible causes, and eliminate offending foods.

• Taking hydrochloric acid (betaine HCl) and digestive enzymes may be necessary for a time.

ENCOURAGEMENT—In all His dealings with His creatures, God has maintained the principles of righteousness by revealing sin in its true character. It is obvious that the wages of sin is misery and death. The unconditional pardon of sin never has been and never will be. God saves us from sin, not in sin.

NIGHTMARES

SYMPTOMS—Unpleasant dreams while sleeping.

CAUSES—In most cases, nightmares can be solved.

TREATMENT—

• Do not eat 4 hours before bedtime.

• Eat a light supper of fruit and toast. Too much food in the stomach is a major cause of nightmares.

• Food allergies are another prime cause. Search them out and eliminate them (see "Allergies" and "Pulse Test)."

• Hypoglycemia is another significant cause. The low point of low blood sugar level occurs at 4 to 4½ hours after food is eaten, especially sugar foods and drinks (cookies and milk, etc.).

• Include chromium in the diet.

• Avoid caffeine.

• Liquor drinking and hard drugs induce nightmares.

• Sometimes the problem is emotional; a parent that is mean to the child, a terrifying incident that a person has had, etc. Go to God with these problems; only He can bring peace of heart.

• Before bedtime, go outdoors and walk in the cool night air, breathe deep, and relax.

• Some take a whole, warm, bath before bedtime, to relax.

• Avoid enervation of any kind. Do not overwork.

ENCOURAGEMENT—It would fill the unfallen worlds with consternation if God were to take men who love and revel in sin—to heaven. Thank God, there is power in the blood, to cleanse from sin and defilement. There is strength in the atonement, to enable man to fulfill the will of God in his life.

PHOBIAS and PANIC ATTACKS (Irrational Fears; Anxiety Disorder; Agoraphobia; Claustrophobia, etc.)

SYMPTOMS—An irrational fear of something, which ordinary people are not bothered by. The experts call it an irrational, involuntary, inappropriate fear reaction that generally leads to an avoidance of common everyday places, objects, or situations.

Symptoms include attacks of tension, panic, dizziness, tightening of the throat, inability to swallow, muscle twitching, sweating, depression, nausea, and obsessions. Feeling of being outside the body.

The heart starts beating faster; the person feels nauseous, shaky, as if about to faint.

CAUSES—There are three types of phobias: simple phobias, social phobias, and agoraphobia.

Those with simple phobias dread a certain situation, place, or object.

Social phobics are those who do not like to be in public situations, such as a party. They fear doing something which may embarrass themselves.

Agoraphobics fear being alone, being in public places, or being in strange places. It is a fear of being away from a safe person or place. This is the phobia that people most frequently talk to professional counselors about. Most agoraphobics are women, who develop it between 15 and 35.

Panic attacks are closely related to phobias and strongly held anxieties.

The body has a natural fight-or-flight mechanism, when more adrenaline is produced, causing the body to increase metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, so the body will have more immediate energy. Muscles become tense, and heartbeat and breathing become more rapid.

But when this mechanism occurs, without a reasonable reason, the result is a panic attack.

The problem often develops suddenly after a major problem, such as a severe illness, accident, or mental depression.

The attack may occur suddenly, perhaps while standing in line at the checkout counter. The worst thing such people can do is to go home and stay there, in order to avoid facing the problematic situation. This prevents the formation of coping skills and only worsens the problem.

Some can only go outdoors if they have a certain friend or trusted dog with them. Some can move freely about in a feared area if it is dark. Wearing sunglasses when they go out in the daytime may ease the problem while they are overcoming it.

Hot weather, fatigue, or illness often makes the symptoms worse.

Post-menstrual syndrome is another cause.

TREATMENT—

• Phobics often eat lots of sweets. Cut them out of the diet.

• White flour should also be eliminated. Only eat whole grains.

• Avoid caffeine in every form (including chocolate) if you have panic attacks. Do not drink alcohol. Medicinal drugs can be a cause.

• Rebound anxiety and panic attacks can occur when Valium, Xanix, or Prozac is taken, to ward them off. Xanix can be addictive!

• Food allergies can be the cause (cow's milk, corn, etc.). Keep a food diary and gradually, over a period of time, determine what foods are bothering you. Do pulse tests (which see).

• Panic attacks and calcium deficiencies go hand in hand. Calcium protects the nerves and prevents toxins from irritating them.

• Valuable minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are depleted by stress. The B vitamins are also important in resisting stress.

• Selenium elevates mood and decreases anxiety.

• Take chromium (200-300 mcg/day), B₆ (100 mg/3 times day), B₃ (450 mg/3 times day), B₁, B₂, B₅ (50 mg/3 times day), tryptophane (10 gr/3 times day), calcium (2000 mg/day), and magnesium (800 mg/day).

• Eat a rounded balance of amino acids; but, of course, do not consume too much protein.

• Chemical fumes, such as formaldehyde from newly purchased clothes or carpets, can induce panic attack feelings.

• A severe hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) reaction. Professionals call this a "crash and burn" curve because the down slope on the glucose curve is almost vertical. Diabetes can be involved here. (See "Hypoglycemia" and "Diabetes.")

• Do a six-hour glucose tolerance test.

• Get regular exercise out-of-doors. Adequate rest is important.

• When you have a problem, have a friend you can talk it over with.

• Avoiding your fear keeps you from overcoming it. Face your fear and, slowly, reason with yourself that it is nothing to be worried about. One individual feared allowing a small bird on, or near, her. She overcame it by slowly placing her finger near a tame canary in a cage, which hopped on and sat quietly. After doing this for several days, the fear was overcome.

• Think to yourself, "That person (object, place) cannot hurt me." It is the truth, and keep telling it to yourself. Shift from negative thoughts toward it, to positive thoughts.

• Recognize the attack for what it is. You have had them before, so you know you are not going to die. You have left the house before, and you know you can do it again. You can do it.

• Be easy on yourself, but keep pushing forward. Even if an attack comes on, tell yourself how you succeeded, and keep at it. Do not give up.

• Start out slowly, but expose yourself to the unpleasant environment a little every week. Set goals for yourself: one-week goals, 8-week goals, etc. Push forward and accomplish them.

• You will notice that sometimes the fear is stronger than at other times. Determine what causes it to increase: a dietary problem, not enough rest, etc.

• When an attack comes on, you have an excess of adrenaline. So do not sit still. Instead move about and do something; this will help use it up. Walk around or exercise during the attack. If the situation is such that you cannot move about (you are standing in line, etc.), then play a game at alternatively tightening and loosening various muscles in your body. Tighten the large muscles in your upper legs, then release them.

• It is now known that people with inner ear problems (where the sense of balance is located) tend to have phobias and panic attacks.

• When an attack seems to be coming on, breathe deeply. Take repeated deep breaths. This relaxes the mind and helps the whole system brace against the intruding fear. (When an attack begins, phobics tend to take short, rapid breaths. The body is not receiving enough oxygen and is losing too much carbon dioxide, the heart begins beating faster, and there is a sense of air hunger.) Instead, breathe slowly and deeply.

• Women who wear tight-fitting clothes tend to become chest breathers, and are more likely to have panic attacks. Men should wear suspenders.

• Maintain good posture. Practice deep breathing every so often.

• When an attack begins to occur, or if even the thought of the feared item begins to come to mind, tell yourself "stop!" If necessary, say "Stop!" out loud. Then consciously change your thoughts to something else, something pleasant. Keep doing this. By doing thought-stopping, you will see excellent progress in as little as 4 weeks.

• When you are completely relaxed and in a pleasant environment, think casually about the feared item. Candidly tell yourself that it does not amount to anything. Then change the thought to something else.

• "Flooding" occurs when the person goes into the feared situation (such as a shopping mall) and stays there until the fears leave. This generally takes 8 to 12 hours.

• Reinforcement takes place when you write the shopping list until it no longer bothers you. Then you put on your coat and go to the door. Then you go outside to the car. Then, when this no longer bothers you; you go to the store and walk up to the door. Later, you go on in and buy the groceries.

• Pray to God for help. He can give you the strength you need to meet your needs. Thousands have come to Him and obtained the help needed to win great victories in their lives. It is a sweet experience to have peace with God.

• Herbs to help strengthen the body include dong quai, gotu kola, kelp, ginkgo, passion flower, slippery elm, suma, valerian, and lady's slipper.

—Also see "Hyperventilation" and "Nerves, Strengthening."

ENCOURAGEMENT—God is the lifegiver. From the beginning, all His laws were ordained to life. But sin broke in upon the order that God had established, and discord followed. It is only because the Redeemer died on our behalf, that we can be enabled to return obedience to the King of the universe.

HYPERVENTILATION

SYMPTOMS—Pounding heart, fingers are tingling, and palms are sweaty.

CAUSES—Hyperventilation is overbreathing. It can be induced by stress. When some people are frightened, they start breathing very fast—both rapidly and deeply, even though they do not need the extra oxygen. This causes them to exhale a lot of carbon dioxide, which in turn causes the blood to become somewhat alkaline. That results in the symptoms of a panic attack (which see).

Episodes of hyperventilation can last for hours, but generally for only 20-30 minutes. But, for the one going through it, the experience can be quite difficult.

TREATMENT—

• When this happens, people often go to the emergency room of the hospital. And what do they do? They may hand the sufferer a paper sack and ask him to breathe into it for a short time. This replenishes the carbon dioxide in the body, and brings him back to normal.

• But there is a danger here: The person might be having, not a hyperventilation problem, but a real heart attack (which see). In this article, we will assume that heart trouble is not the problem. But you may want to check our various sections under Cardiovascular: Heart.

• People who know they might experience hyperventilation attacks, from time to time, sometimes carry a paper sack with them.

• Exercise also helps. It not only reduces anxiety, but exercise requires more oxygen—so faster breathing is just fine.

• Do not smoke. This only adds to the problem, for nicotine is a stimulant and can aid in triggering attacks. Caffeine is another stimulant to avoid.

• Practice calm, relaxed breathing. The average you should strive for is one moderate breath every 6 seconds or 10 every minute. Ordinary people need never concern themselves with how often they breath; but, if you have this special problem, you may want to practice doing it the right way every so often.

• The more tense you are, the faster you will breath; so be calm, and think about breathing slower.

• Think about someone else beside yourself. We can focus on our fears so much, they come out of proportion.

• Avoid situations which tend to make you overly nervous. For example, for some people this occurs when they are required to stand in crowds.

—Also see "Phobias and Panic Attacks."

ENCOURAGEMENT—Christ says, "Ye are the salt of the earth . . but the salt can lose its saltness." How careful we must be that we live like Jesus, so we do not become worthless salt.

DEPRESSION

SYMPTOMS—Decreased energy and appetite, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, backaches, weight loss, slowed movement, purposeless thinking, irritability, quickness to temper, and feeling like doing nothing.

CAUSES—Depression may be caused by the loss of a loved one or a job, food allergies, hypoglycemia, environmental problems, or post-menstrual syndrome. Anything that disrupts a person's sense of worth, stability, security, or effectiveness.

Forty percent of those with this problem have one or both of their parents who suffered it also.

Depression during the dark, dreary winter months is called seasonal affective disorder (which see).

Individuals with severe viral illness, hepatitis, endocrine problems, or stroke can have it.

An alternate type is bipolar depression (manic depression), in which a person varies between episodes of depression and mania (over-excitedness). (See "Manic Depression.").

Depression is twice as common in women as in men.

TREATMENT—

• Avoid processed and junk foods; they are a great source of emotional depression.

• Eating complex carbohydrates increases the amount of the amino acid, tryptophane, that is ingested. This, in turn, increases the amount of serotonin made by the brain, which calms and relaxes the whole system. (In contrast, high-protein foods promote the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, which increases alertness.)

• Practice deep breathing outdoors, twice a day. This reduces a sense of gloom.

• Eat your meals on a regular schedule, and only eat nourishing food.

• Low blood sugar induces depression. Yet eating a high-sugar diet also produces depression. Learn to eat right, of nourishing fruits, vegetables, and grains; avoid sugar foods.

• Caffeine and tobacco both are known to induce depression.

• Go to bed on time at night, and maintain regularity in your daily schedule.

• Maintain a regular exercise program in order to increase feelings of well-being and cheerfulness. Purposeful outdoor exercise, such as gardening, is ideal.

• Sunlight is beneficial for depression, since it suppresses melatonin production.

• Keep your weight down; and, if you are overweight, go on a gradual weight reduction program.

• Food allergies are very significant. Locate and eliminate them. (See "Allergies" and "Pulse Test.")

• Over 200 different medicinal drugs are reported to cause depression! You might consider throwing out your medicine chest.

• Beware of antidepressant drugs! They lead to a wide variety of physical damage!

• Do something active. Forget yourself and find happiness in purposive activity. Do something worthwhile that helps others: It may be washing the dishes; it may be going out and helping a sick person.

• Talk it out; you may find that many of your problems really do not amount to much.

• Have a good cry. Crying releases tension and worry.

• Be respectful and kind to others. Making others miserable will only add to your own misery. Being kind to others helps you feel better yourself.

• Beware of eating or shopping binges, to help you feel better. Neither accomplish the intended purpose.

—Also see "Manic Depression" and "Nerves, Strengthening."

ENCOURAGEMENT—If you would have broad views, noble thoughts and aspirations, choose associations that will strengthen right principles. Let every thought and the purpose of every action bend to the securing of the future life, with the eternal happiness it will bring you.

MANIC DEPRESSION (Bipolar Disorder; Mania)

SYMPTOMS—Extreme pessimism, withdrawal from society, changes in sleep patterns. A sudden loss of interest in, and failure to, complete projects started with enthusiasm. There is chronic irritability, sudden attacks of rage when crossed, and loss of inhibition. More symptoms given below.

CAUSES—Mania is a mental state characterized by excessive excitement. Depression is a mental state characterized by dejection, lack of hope, and absence of cheerfulness.

Both of these qualities are strikingly observed in manic depression. Manic depression is cyclic, or circular affective psychosis, in which there are alternating moods of depression and mania. Ordinarily there is a series of periods of psychotic depression or excessive well-being, appearing in any sequence and alternating with longer periods of relative normalcy.

Though intensity may vary greatly, the manic shows an elevated though unstable mood, a flight of ideas, and great physical activity. The case of primary depression finds one thinking that all exertion is exhausting. There is difficulty in thinking or acting and the person is very unhappy.

Manic-depressive disorder is also called bipolar disorder. It typically begins as depression and then develops into alternating periods of depression and mania.

Both mania and depression can vary in intensity and length of the cycles (a few days to many months). During the depression phase, some do nothing while others go through the motions of everyday work while always feeling depressed.

Hypomania is a burst of energy and activity, but full-blown manic psychosis includes delusions of grandeur, invincibility, or persecution, and may result in day and night activity without sleep.

Factors inducing manic depression include an overgrowth of yeast in the intestinal tract, food allergies, environmental sensitivities, and certain diseases: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.

TREATMENT—

• A good nourishing diet is very important, omitting all junk food.

• Avoid processed, sugar, and fried foods.

• Locate allergy foods and eliminate them. (See "Allergies" and "Pulse Test.")

• Food allergies, environmental sensitivities, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia (both of which see) are major causes. Take a 6-hour glucose tolerance test. During the test, someone must stay with the person and record his emotions and events (is he on an up, down, or both).

• Foods which are common offenders include cow's milk, corn, wheat, rye, soy, and sugar.

• But also consider house dust, perfume, formaldehyde, and cosmetics as allergenic factors to be avoided.

• Solving the manic depressive problem can require some weeks of careful diet and elimination of offending factors.

• High doses of the B-complex vitamins are important. They normalize and strengthen nerve function. The minerals found in nourishing food are also needed.

• Chromium and vanadium (500 mcg, 4 times a day), essential fatty acids (5 gm, 3 times a day), niacin (450 mg, 4 times a day), B₁, B₅, B₆ (each at 5 gm, twice a day).

• Avoid the amino acids, ornithine and arginine. Some say these and choline may make symptoms worse. Others say that choline is needed. Still others say that choline should only be taken in normal amounts with other B vitamin supplements. Researchers at MIT found that choline helped reduce manic depression. So do as you think best regarding choline.

• Obtaining sufficient balanced amino acids, especially tyrosine and taurine, are important.

—Also see "Mania," "Depression" and "Nerves, Strengthening."

ENCOURAGEMENT—We must accept Christ as our personal Saviour; and, as we do, He imputes to us the righteousness of God. He enables us to obey the Bible. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

MANIA (J.H. Kellogg, M.D., Formulas)

FOR MALNUTRITION—Graduated Tonic Baths; generous aseptic diet.

TO INCREASE BLOOD PRESSURE—Hot Baths: Radiant Heat Bath; Hot Full Bath at 100⁰-102⁰ F. for 8-15 minutes; Hot Leg Bath or Hot Sitz Bath (either one at 108⁰-115⁰ F. for 8-12 minutes), followed by Shallow Bath (68⁰-74⁰ F.), Pail Pour (75⁰-70⁰ F.), or percussion Douche (60⁰-50⁰ F.) with duration of 20-40 seconds; ice bag over heart for 15 minutes, every two hours.

TO DIMINISH CEREBRAL HYPEREMIA—Short Hot Full Bath or Shower, followed by Douche at 70⁰-60⁰ F., 20-40 seconds; Ice Bag over heart for 15 minutes every 2 hours.

FOR AUTOINTOXICATION—Aseptic diet; if necessary, fruit diet; Colonic daily for a few days; long Neutral Bath, 30-60 minutes.

TO RELIEVE OR PREVENT EXHAUSTION—Rest in bed; Tonic Friction twice daily.

FOR FEVER—Local fever-reducing measures, as may be indicated; Neutral Bath; Cooling Pack.

CONTRAINDICATIONS—Avoid very hot or prolonged cold baths; avoid cold to head when face is pale.

—Also see "Manic Depression."

HYSTERIA—1 (Melancholia)

SYMPTOMS—There are a great variety of possible symptoms: The mental attitude is calm and somewhat aloof. There may be easy laughing and crying; episodes of emotionalism, possibly without any apparent explanation, and even occurring in sleep. The problem may, or may not, be psychotic in nature.

In some cases, fugues occur. These are episodes when the person takes on a different personality, name, etc., leaves and goes somewhere else for a time. When the primary personality returns, there is a forgetting of the secondary state. But this problem is not the same as the psychotic condition, known as schizophrenia—in which there is a splitting in personality, incongruities, and confusion co-exist in a person at the same time.

CAUSES—There may be an emotional instability, various sensory disturbances, and a marked craving for sympathy which sometimes leads to unusual words, actions, and activities.

Hysteria (melancholia) can result from post-menstrual syndrome, food allergies, hypoglycemia, prescribed or illegal drugs, or alcoholism.

TREATMENT—

• Place the person on a nourishing diet, avoiding all junk food.

• Test for allergies (see "Allergies" and "Pulse Test").

• Give a 6-hour glucose tolerance test.

• Keep a daily diary, to test for PMS. Look in a Physician's Desk Reference, to locate drugs which might be causing problems.

• Take the vitamins and minerals needed, to build strong nerves (see "Nerves, Strengthening").

• Place the person in a quiet place, devoid of spectators. Give cold applications to the head, face, and neck. Quiet, firm suggestions are important.

—Also see "Hysteria—2" and "Melancholia—2."

ENCOURAGEMENT—It is because of the love of God that the treasures of the grace of Christ have been offered to men. What love is this, what unfathomable love, that Christ would die for us while we were still sinners! Look at the cross of Calvary. It is a standing pledge of the boundless love, the measureless mercy of the heavenly Father.

HYSTERIA—2 (J.H. Kellogg, M.D., Formulas)

DIETARY AND LIFESTYLE—Tonic, reconstructive, and restful measures. Graduated cold applications (Tonic Frictions) are of the first importance and must be carefully managed at first; application twice daily, short, intense; Prolonged Neutral Bath in cases due to autointoxication; Out-of-door life; generous aseptic diet; suitable moral and mental surroundings.

CONVULSIONSNeutral Bath; Neutral Pack; Hot Blanket Pack; Hot and Cold Compress to spine or Sponging; Hot Enema; Hot Half Bath with Tepid Pail Pour to head and spine; Heating Compress to spine.

COMA—Alternate Compress or Sponging to spine; Cold Mitten Friction; Hot Half Bath; Cold or Hot and Cold Compress to head.

VOMITING—Hot and Cold Compress over stomach area; dry diet; rectal feeding, if necessary; ice to the area above the stomach; ice pills.

ANOREXIA—Ice Bag over stomach half an hour before meals; Alternate Compress over stomach, twice daily; Cold Douche to spine and epigastrium.

COUGH—Fomentation to spine; sipping hot water; Chest Pack; Cold Compress to the throat; gargling hot water several times daily.

MUSCULAR PARALYSIS—Alternate Pail Pour or Alternate Douche; Alternate Compress; Cold Pail Pour; Cold Douche; massage.

CONTRACTIONS—Fomentations to affected parts, followed by Heating Compress; Revulsive Douche.

TREMBLING—Neutral Pail Pour to spine at 92⁰-96⁰ F., for 15 minutes.

INCONTINENCE OF URINE—Percussion Douche to spine; Neutral Sitz Bath for 15-30 minutes.

RETENTION OF URINE—Hot Sitz Bath, 5 minutes, followed by Cold Plantar Douche; Cold Perineal Douche; Cold Douche to the lower back area, front and back, opposite the intestines and pelvic organs; Cold Rubbing Sitz Bath.

PARESTHESIA—Alternate Douche or Alternate Compress; Cold percussion Douche to spine; Cold Hand Rub or Cold Mitten Friction to affected area. Do this after a hot Fomentation for 5-10 minutes.

HYPERESTHESIA (PAIN)—Hot fan Douche; Fomentation followed by Heating Compress; Revulsive Compress. Cold Douche to the symmetrical part of the opposite side.

LOSS OF MUSCULAR STRENGTH—Alternate Douche; Cold Percussion Douche.

VISCERAL NEURALGIA—Very hot Fomentation over the affected part 20 minutes twice a day, followed by Heating Compress during interval between; Revulsive Compress; Revulsive Fan Douche.

MOTOR PARALYSIS—Alternate Douche, Cold percussion Douche.

HICCOUGH—Hot Trunk Pack;, Heating Compress over stomach, sipping ice-cold water.

SYNCOPE—Heat to neck; short cold application to chest and face, Alternate Compress to spine, percussion of the chest with the hands dipped in cold water or with the end of a cold towel, vigorous centripetal friction; rhythmical traction of the tongue.

SPINAL IRRITATION—Fomentation to the spine twice a day, followed by continuous Heating Compress during the intervals between; Revulsive Fan Douche; Fomentation followed by Pail Pour for 5 minutes, 80⁰-85⁰F.

ANAL SPASM—Hot Anal Douche or hot Shallow Sitz Bath at 102⁰-106⁰ F. General applications of massage and regular gymnastics.

APHONIA—Ice Bag to the throat with general Cold Douche.

GENERAL METHOD—Improve his general health by vigorous tonic measures continued during many months or even years. Improve the general nutrition by a nutritious, simple, unstimulating dietary. Combat special symptoms by the hydrotherapy measures indicated above, together with suitable mental and moral treatment.

—Also see "Hysteria—1."

MELANCHOLIA—2 (J.H. Kellogg, M.D., Formulas)

Note: Hysteria—1 is also Melancholia—1. In Kellogg's day Hysteria and Melancholia were two separate conditions; in our day they are treated the same.

FOR ANEMIA AND MALNUTRITION—Fomentation to abdomen followed by Cold Mitten Friction twice daily; aseptic diet; water drinking; air bath; Radiant Heat Bath; sunbaths; rest in bed; massage.

FOR CEREBRAL ANEMIA (which is usually present)— Warm compress at 98⁰-100⁰ F. to back of neck for 15 minutes, 3 times daily.

TO DIMINISH BLOOD PRESSURE (which is usually excessive)—Warm Full Bath, 98⁰-100⁰ F., 10-20 minutes, twice daily; Heating Wet Sheet Pack; Heating Trunk Pack, 30 minutes, twice daily; Neutral Douche, 94⁰ F., pressure 10-20 pounds., duration 2-4 minutes.

CONSTIPATION—Laxative diet, fruit, malted cereals; Cool Enema.

MENTAL AND NERVOUS IRRITABILITY—Neutral Bath at 94⁰-96⁰ F., 30 minutes to 2 hours; Heating Wet Sheet Pack; Hot Abdominal Pack; Heating Compress to spine.

CONTRAINDICATIONS—Avoid cold immersions and all very cold general applications which, by raising blood pressure and exciting the irritable cerebral structures, aggravate the condition.

GENERAL METHOD—A person suffering from melancholia requires essentially the same therapeutic measures as the neurasthenic, with the special moral treatment and control indicated.

—Also see "Hysteria—1."

MENTAL ILLNESS

SYMPTOMS—Depression, anxiety, delusions, nervousness, loss of interest in school or work, sleep pattern changes, irritability, withdrawal from society, sudden rages, lack of enthusiasm, and panic attacks.

CAUSES—It is important that we note that this article includes both neurotic and psychotic syndromes. Just because a person has one or more of the symptoms noted here, that does not mean he is crazy. He may just be having a hard time dealing with life.

The experts divide mental illness into two main varieties: mood disorders and schizophrenia (which see). Elsewhere we discuss a variety of episodic mood disorders (Depression, Manic Depression, Phobias, and Hysteria). Those with episodic problems generally return to normal between spells.

In this article, we shall overview a few primary factors in all mental illness. An important related article is "Nerves, Strengthening."

A person is no longer able to cope effectively with emotional or physical stresses, which others are able to handle. Women are twice as likely to experience mental illness.

TREATMENT—

• There may be heredity factors, but the environmental factors and lifestyle are very important! Nutritional deficiencies have a strong effect on mental health.

• Autointoxication and constipation are contributing factors in mental illness. Symptoms which are alleviated range from mental sluggishness to hallucinations. Even schizophrenia (which see) can be greatly lessened.

• There is a direct relation between the transverse colon and the brain. When the colon is clogged, mental illness is triggered in some and an attack of epilepsy (which see) in others.

• Eliminate the "glue foods"; these tend to clog the colon, produce a buildup of mucous and toxins in it, and lead to mental problems. Such foods include white flour, sugar, eggs, meat, peanuts, and dairy products.

• Brain cells cannot function properly without proper nutrients (see "Nerves, Strengthening").

• It is known that many cases of mental illness are solved when a simple, nourishing, diet, including sufficient fiber and adequate vitamins and minerals, are given and the colon is cleaned out with enemas or colonics.

• A high-carbohydrate (whole grain) diet stimulates the amount of tryptophane in the brain, and produces a calming, peaceful, feeling.

• Exercise, especially out-of-doors in the fresh air, combined with relaxation helps rejuvenate the body and mind.

• Allergy specialists successfully treat individuals with mental illness by isolating foods and chemicals in the environment which induce the mental problems. Allergic reactions may be a factor in criminal behavior. In some cases, the offending food does not cause mental reactions until hours after being eaten. This is called "masked food allergy." Do not under-rate the allergy factor! (See "Allergies" and "Pulse Test.")

• Many persons with schizophrenia, autism, abnormal behavior, and subsequent learning disorders are caused by too much lead or copper in the body. Check your plumbing pipes. Plastic water pipes are the safest.

• Herbs which calm the brain and nerves include hops, chamomile, skullcap, valerian, wood betony, and schizandra.

—Also see "Schizophrenia" and "Nerves, Strengthening."

ENCOURAGEMENT—There is a God in Israel, who can bring deliverance to all that are oppressed. He will draw near to you, right where you are, and minister to your needs. All you need to do is ask Him—just now.

INSANITIES (Post-Febrile; Post-Operative; Toxic; Puerperal Confusional) (J.H. Kellogg, M.D., Formulas)

MALNUTRITION—Rest, careful Tonic Frictions.

AUTOINTOXICATION—Aseptic dietary; fruit diet for 3-4 days: Warm Baths, Radiant Heat Bath, Sweating Wet Sheet Pack, followed by short cold applications; Wet Sheet Rub; or brief Cold Douche; copious water drinking; Colonic daily for a week or two.

PUERPERAL LESIONS OR COMPLICATIONS—Hot vaginal irrigation, Neutral or tonic Sitz Bath.

FEVER—Absolute rest in bed; prolonged Tepid Bath at 88⁰-92⁰ F., 30-60 minutes; Cooling Enemas; Cold Compress to head; copious water drinking.

ALCOHOLISM—Withdraw alcohol at once; withhold food for 3 days; nutritive enemas; copious water drinking; Neutral Colonic daily for a week.

UREMIA—See under "Nephritis, Acute."

- For additional information, see under "Mania."

CONTRAINDICATIONS—The same as those of Mania, when conditions coincide. Especially avoid all intensely exciting procedures.

GENERAL METHOD—In most cases essentially the same as for Mania, giving special attention to the particular causal element which may be a prominent factor in the case. In certain cases, the symptoms are those of Melancholia, and the treatment must be modified accordingly.

SCHIZOPHRENIA (Paranoic, Catatonic, Hebephrenic; Dementia Praecox)

SYMPTOMS—Principle signs are moodiness, solitary habits, stupor and excitement, delusions and hallucinations.

Hallucinations common, especially of hearing. Loss of emotion or, if shown, it is out of place. Actions are absent or inappropriate. There may be impulsive destructive acts and negativism. Extremities tend to be cold, blue, and edematous (puffy with fluids). Conscious, but takes little cognizance of what is going on about him. Delusions frequent but absurd, often of grandeur and persecution. May have attacks of tears or laughter. There may be excited activity. May remain in a stupor. Grimaces and mannerisms are frequent. Symptoms sometimes change form.

Schizophrenia affects about 3% of the population at some time in their lives.

CAUSES—This is the most important of the psychoses, and is characterized by a loss of contact with the environment and by a disintegration of personality. The earlier name for it was dementia praecox.

There are four primary types. A vague sense of being two personalities and "changed" occurs in all types:

1 - Simple schizophrenia: The person becomes dull emotionally, loses ambition, and tends to withdraw. Yet there is no serious intellectual impairment.

2 - Paranoid schizophrenia: The person develops extensive delusions of persecution. He believes people are plotting against him.

3 - Catatonic schizophrenia: The person may show stereotyped excitement or simulate a stupor. But he will clearly remember it, if he later recovers.

4 - Hebephrenic schizophrenia: There are mannerisms, speech anomalies, hysteroid symptoms, delusions, hallucinations, and often a dreamy, ineffectual reaction.

Some believe schizophrenia is hereditary; others think that only attitudinal, dietetic, and external factors lead to it (head injuries, complications during birth, reaction to a virus or medicinal drug, environmental poisons).

A wide range of medicinal drugs can produce schizoid symptoms. It is known that many schizophrenics had birth complications or a head injury in childhood.

Schizophrenia is also linked to an excess of copper in the body. High copper levels cause vitamin C and zinc levels to drop. It is believed that a zinc deficiency may be a key factor inducing schizophrenia. A full 80% of those with this disorder have a deficiency of zinc and an excess of copper and iron in their body tissues. Supplementation of zinc and manganese are needed to correct this.

Zinc deficiencies occur more frequently in the winter, and this is when this disorder frequently begins.

It is now known that some individuals who, later in life are schizophrenic, had a prenatal zinc deficiency, from their mother's diet and way of life.

The pineal gland in the brain normally has high levels of zinc, and weakening of this endocrine gland may be a factor.

Magnesium deficiency may also be involved, since schizophrenics have lower magnesium levels in their blood; and, when they recover from it, their magnesium levels are higher.

Hypoglycemia appears to be frequently involved in schizophrenia. A fair level supply of blood sugar is vital, if oxygen is going to be regularly provided to the brain. Yet it is believed that an undersupply of oxygen is a key factor inducing the disorder. (See "Hypoglycemia.")

High-quality food, with emphasis on slow-to-digest whole grain products, should be eaten.

Mineral and trace mineral imbalances exist in schizophrenics. A nourishing diet, along with vitamin/mineral supplementation is needed.

Severe vitamin B₃ (niacin) deficiency (pellagra), with its characteristics such as nervousness, loss of memory, confusion, paranoia, insomnia, depression, and hallucinations—resembles schizophrenia so closely, that the two disorders probably are the same.

Here is an interesting fact: When experiments were made on prisoners, and they were given no niacin for extended periods of time before they were again given normal diets, it required 60 times as much niacin to return them to normal, in order to prevent pellagra.

Severe deficiencies of other B complex vitamins can also produce schizoid symptoms. Severe B₁₂ deficiency caused difficulty in concentration, poor memory, agitation, hallucinations, and manic or paranoid behavior. Biotin deficiency causes depression, lassitude, panic, and hallucinations.

Faulty essential fatty acid metabolism or deficiency is another factor leading to schizophrenia. The remedy was 2-6 tbsp. of linseed oil, in divided doses, given daily. Flaxseed oil, wheat germ oil, or sunflower seed oil work just as effectively.

Another factor is heavy metal poisoning. This would include lead, copper, mercury,

TREATMENT—

• Using orthodox psychiatric treatment, complete recovery is rare. The orthodox methods use various tranquilizers, all with severe side effects—electroconvulsive shock therapy and psychotherapy. Orthodox remedial substances deplete many essential vitamins, are highly toxic, damage brain tissue, and should be avoided.

• Using natural remedies, which are far broader in scope, solutions are much more likely.

• The primary areas of treatment are discussed above.

• Go on a fruit and vegetable juice diet for a time. This will provide vitamins and minerals while keeping the blood sugar normal during the fast. Repeat short juice fasts or one longer one for 4-6 weeks. Overly sweet fruit juices should be avoided or diluted 50-50 with water.

• During this time, give massive doses of niacin, in the form of niacinamide (1,000-3,000 mg with each meal; often as much as 25,000-30,000 mg per day). An equal amount of vitamin C should be given, B vitamins, especially pantothenic acid, and 3-5 tbsp. of brewer's yeast.

• After recovery, a large daily dose of niacinamide will have to be continued indefinitely.

• Repeat: Do not give massive doses of niacin, but rather in the form of niacinamide.

• Avoid all processed, junk, and fried foods. Do not use white flour or sugar foods. Stop eating meat. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine.

• Eat a high-fiber diet, including plenty of fresh raw vegetables and quality protein. Complex carbohydrates in the diet are important to keep the blood sugar level.

—Also see "Mental Illness" and "Nerves, Strengthening" for much additional information.

ENCOURAGEMENT—Serving Christ will place upon you no restriction that will not increase your happiness. In complying with His requirements, you will find a peace, contentment, and enjoyment that you can never have in the path of sin.

AUTISM

SYMPTOMS—Symptoms are very obvious before the age of three: A marked unresponsiveness to other people and surroundings, indifferent to affection, and withdrawn into themselves.

Sometimes strange actions, such as pounding feet while sitting, continual rocking back and forth, silent sitting for long periods of time, bursts of hyperactivity while they bite, or pound, on their bodies.

CAUSES—There are about 100,000 autistic children in America. They look normal in appearance; but, in addition to the above symptoms, they have learning disabilities and are often mentally disabled. A rare few have astounding abilities in mathematics or music.

Nutritional improvement appears to be the best route for natural treatment.

In some instances, autistic children have recovered, usually during adolescence. Some progress well, and later lose what was gained.

If you have an autistic child, give him a high B-complex supplementation, plus other nutritional factors.

TREATMENT—

• Dr. Bernard Rimland, a research psychologist in San Diego, found that 50% of his patients improved when placed on a megavitamin therapy.

• The vitamins which especially helped were niacin (use as niacinamide), pantothenic acid, B₆ and C. When improvement did not occur, additional B₆ was given, along with magnesium, to offset the B₆, and then improvement was seen.

• As soon as the vitamin therapy ceased, the symptoms returned.

• As a result of vitamin therapy, there was a reduction in tantrums, improved speech, better sleep patterns, increased alertness, and greater sociability.

• Allan Cott, M.D., a New York psychiatrist, gave 200 mg of pangamic acid to autistic children, and decided improvement frequently occurred.

• Give a nourishing diet high in vitamins and minerals.

• The diet should be high fiber, of 50-75% raw fruits and vegetables.

• No junk, processed, sugar, dairy, wheat, or white-flour foods of any kind should be given. Avoid fried and fatty foods and most meats.

• Regular, moderate, exercise is important.

• Use an elimination diet, to test for food allergies (see "Allergies" and "Pulse Test").

ENCOURAGEMENT—The Lord has not changed. He is true, merciful, compassionate, and faithful to do what He says. Trust your life to Him! You will not be sorry. The future He offers you is a marvelous one.