HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF ADOLESCENTS HAVING ALCOHOLIC FATHERS BY UNDERSTANDING THEIR ADAPTIVE MECHANISMS

Abstract

Adolescence is the stage where transition occurs at physical and psychological level that generally occurs during the period from puberty to adulthood. Issues of independence, identity, sexuality, and relationships define this developmental stage. Adolescents face various stressors at home, school due to parents, peers, teachers etc. Many of the stresses are transient in nature and disappears as age advances but some stresses leaves their long lasting impact on individual and more severe on tender mind like of adolescents which are very difficult to understand and manage with. The aim of this study was to understand the adaptive mechanisms of children in the adolescent age group whose fathers are alcoholics and determining the role of these mechanisms in the Homoeopathic management. 30 adolescents have been studied from age group of 12 years to 18 years of both the sexes. The adolescents were selected on basis of the impact in their life due to alcoholic father. A self- made checklist was applied to understand the stressors faced by these adolescents physical, mentally and intellectually due to alcoholic father. 5 (17%) adolescents had stressor due to abusive father, anticipatory anxiety of being abused by father, & interpersonal conflicts amongst parents equally,4 (13%) abusive behavior of father towards mother. 4 (13%) did not face any stressor. Reactions to stressors were fear of father as prominent factor in 9 cases (30%), hatred towards father in 3 adolescents (10%), 8 adolescents (27%) had anger towards father, 3 (10%) had desire to hit father, 3 of them (10%) had no any effect of father’s alcoholism. Out of 30 adolescents 12 (40%) adolescents used suppression, escapism along with suppression was also observed in 6 (20%), escapism in 3 (10%) of adolescents, rationalization in 3 (10 %), sublimation in 2 (7%). Homoeopathic similimum was indicated on basis of adaptive mechanisms, and ancillary measures were given to required adolescents. One of the causes of mental, physical and intellectual difficulties faced by adolescent is parental alcoholism which needs to be studied to understand the mode of adaptation and help them in management of difficulties.