CASE HISTORY 9
NAME: Nilkant
Date of Birth: Dec 1945
SEX: Male
Profession: Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon
COMPLAINTS & DURATION
- Frustration
- Psoriasis
PREVIOUS TREATMENT:
He had followed numerous treatments, medical and otherwise: magnetic healers, psychic healers, faith healers etc, to no avail.
PROGNOSIS: POOR.
DISCUSSION
The salient features of this case are:
- Frustration
- Psoriasis
- Frustration
Frustration is a common emotional response to anger and disappointment. It arises from failure to the fulfillment of the person’s external causes involve conditions outside, such as a difficult task.
Frustration can be considered a problem–response behavior, and can have a number of effects. In negative cases, a person may perceive the source of frustration to be outside their control. It continues to build, leading eventually to further problems
- Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a medical condition that occurs when skin cells grow too quickly causing new skin cells to form in days rather than weeks. These cells pile up on the surface of the skin and form lesions.
The cause is unknown. The person’s immune system and genes play key roles. In patients with psoriasis, the T lymphocytes mistakenly trigger a reaction in the skin cells. A stressful life event may trigger attacks of psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a chronic, lifelong medical condition of very unpredictable nature. There may be cycles of flare-ups and remissions often leading to feelings of sadness, despair, guilt and anger as well as low self-esteem. Depression is found to be higher in psoriasis patients than in the general population. Feelings of deep embarrassment also are common.
Psoriasis and stress
Stress probably tops the list of triggers. Scientific studies confirm that stress can worsen psoriasis and increase itching. Some people can even trace their first outbreak to a particularly stressful event. Having psoriasis is, in itself, stressful. Treating psoriasis can add to the stress.
Psoriasis Treatment
There is no cure for psoriasis. However, there are many treatment options that can clear psoriasis for a period of time.
Effects of Yoga and Meditation
Nilkant is an ENT surgeon. He is French of Jewish origin, of polish refugee parents. In spite of quite modest background he managed to study medicine. Later he specialized in otorhinolaryngology (ENT). He always felt frustrated. He had to undergo much hardship to be able to achieve success. In spite of everything he was always lacking something, his life in a perpetual turmoil.
“I had always felt a deep gnawing feeling of void, dissatisfaction and deep uncertainty within me. I felt lost, even in my day to day living. My aloofness prevented me from mixing freely with others; share their aims, aspirations and ambitions. I had the strong feeling of being different from my peers, without knowing why or how. Sometimes I used to envy others for their care free, happy-go-lucky attitude. I wished I could forget the hundred and one queries plaguing my mind and let go. But it was beyond me!”*
During his student days when he was just 18, he unfortunately developed psoriasis. Over time his condition would worsen. When he used to have the acute attacks, he could not venture out of his room. He was fed up with his condition. He even contemplated suicide.
“I would have perhaps given up! I would have sought an early exit not being able to cope with life!”*
Luckily one of his seniors advised him against it. He advised Nilkant to migrate to Reunion island, a French territory in the Indian ocean, not far from Mauritius. Maybe the change in weather would help decrease the psoriasis. In fact, the change helped but he still had to cope with the attacks of psoriasis. He became interested in religion, especially the eastern ones.
“I was an avid reader of religious literature. I had read intensively both eastern and western philosophy and spirituality. They appeared world apart. Paul Brunton’s writings, although interesting, was somewhat heavy and confusing.
It was then that someone mentioned about meditation. He decided to give it a try.
“Once, I met someone seemingly on a same wavelength: we were both seekers of the higher truths and the mystery of life. It was then that I came to know about the ashram. Shortly afterwards I would be going for initiation.”*
Yoginiji initiated him in meditation and taught him hatha yoga. He was advised to adopt a holistic way of life. This helped him in all aspects of life. He would be physically and mentally cured.
“Gradually I noticed I was more positive and more receptive to my environment. It occurred to me that the lack was not in others but within. I had never been satisfied with myself. I was awkward, ill at ease because I felt I was not on the right path. I was never truly myself. There was something always lacking.”*
“I had also been suffering from a serious recurrent skin problem since I was 18yrs old. Ever since my initiation and learning of hatha yoga, I have never had any recurrence of the disease, to date, 20 years already.”
His whole outlook changed. He was a different person, physically, mentally and spiritually.
“These experiences made me discover faith. My faith has grown stronger day by day….After these startling experiences, I strongly felt that I was rid of a great burden, a load too heavy for me to bear.”
“To say that meditation has changed my life is saying too little. It will not do justice to what I have received. First and foremost my whole vision of the world has altered. This new vision has completely overhauled my life. Out of the blue, suddenly, I saw myself with strong faith, where only doubt prevailed. This positive outlook has made it possible for me accept what I would have ignored before. It has greatly influenced me professionally, in my social and family life.”
Since initiation in 1990, he has regularly come for meditation twice or thrice every year. Remembering his sad past he wisely remarks:
“It would have needed many hard kicks, more blows and bitter humiliation to wrench me out of my apathy. It is difficult to imagine the tragedy I have escaped. Now, whatever be the trials, I find it easier to accept them as a part of life.”*
Recently he retired from active service and is now doing voluntary service in Cambodia, helping them to set up specialized ENT units.
“Doubtless, this new meaning given to life gradually alters our personality. As we turn more and more towards morality and altruism, such negative tendencies as anger, envy, greed, selfishness are on the decrease. There is growing compassion and tolerance. We feel more considerate towards those suffering and needy. It is only by giving that one comes to benefit”*
(*Excerpts from article, Nilkant, Mag 4, 2011 P90-91)
CONCLUSION
Nilkant is a French citizen. Although from an affluent society, he was frustrated with his health condition. He suffered from psoriasis from the age of 18. Later, despite being a specialist surgeon, he could not cope with the seriousness of his disease. The years of suffering had taken a heavy toll of his morale. He found it impossible to go out when he had those very serious attacks. He believed there was no way out. Desperate, he had contemplated commit suicide several times. Fortunately he was saved on the advice of a senior colleague who gave him support.
His frustration and permanent tension has depleted whatever reserve of vital energy he had. Meditation and yoga provided the additional prana he desperately needed to control and eventually cure the psoriasis. He has never had a relapse ever since his initiation in 1990, 32 years back.
His coming for meditation was the single most important event in his life. He was amazed with the initiation and the yoga he was taught. He was all the more relieved that the condition he had always as a doctor believed ‘incurable’ was cured. His whole life and outlook changed. He became more open, compassionate and altruistic.