I lack self-confidence (2). When I returned from Singapore after 15 years, I feel like a hit a wall. I procrastinate (2). I get interested in one thing for awhile, then I'm off to something else."

When we asked Greg whether he was open or reserved, he replied, "I tell people more than they need to know about my feelings. I can overreact to things and make things worse than they are. I'm very trusting." Upon inquiring about his childhood, he told us it was great.

"I've spent the past year and a half analyzing myself... my faults. My girlfriend hasn't been able to connect. I've gotten over her ten times. I live by myself in a beautiful place but I don't know anyone there.

My whole life I've had allergies, hay fever and sinus congestion.

I get a rash on my forehead when I'm nervous. My hair thinned for six months after I took chloroquine to prevent malaria. My mouth is dry (2). My lips get chapped (3) and I get cracks at the corners of my mouth (3). I get palpitations on and off (2). They've been worse recently.

I had an ulcer in 1975. So did everyone else in the office. I choke on food. The first bite gets caught. Once I almost died choking. Recently a zinc tablet got caught in my throat for twelve hours. It scares me to death (3). I've been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, but my digestion is fine. Lately I've experienced an odd pain in my left upper leg and tingling in my left arm and armpit and the tip of my little finger. I've had EMT training so I'm worried about it."

Greg was warm (2). His sleep was disturbed the past few months.

"I get wound up late at night (3). I find twenty projects to do. My minds starts going. My mind's constantly overactive (3). It's hard to calm down. I take calcium tablets and valerian tea, but they don't help much. I sleep on my right side (1). I used to sleep on my back before it broke."

Greg liked Mexican food (2), cheese (2) and yogurt (2). "They calm me down. I used to eat salty nuts and chips. I also used to crave peanut butter, but now it makes my eyes dry up." He was very thirsty for tap water (3). "I used to hike eight hours, eat a bar of chocolate, then pass out. As I kid, I'd get very nervous and aggressive after granola bars. I snack all day long in the car. I don't gain weight. I can just nap if I don't force myself to eat. My energy is up and down from hyperactive to lethargy. I use to look at a map and I couldn't read it or concentrate. I sometimes have to eat something before I look at a map (2)."

Now, study this case and turn to page ____ for the case analysis.

What is Ralph's main problem? His anxiety. His mind went too fast, which caused him to sleep poorly. He worried all the time. He had frequent heart palpitations. He suffered from an extreme case of hypoglycemia. He had been unsuccessful, and at times unrealistic, in intimate relationships. He had few friends and felt very discontented with his job, his relationships, his living situation and his life. Overall, Greg was very unhappy.

This is not a case for which we consulted the repertory. This is unusual for us. We generally analyze the case carefully, select key elements and the rubrics which fit best, than choose the one remedy which matches best. Greg's symptoms seemed to us to clearly fit the remedy Argentum nitricum (Silver nitrate). We began by giving Greg a potency of 6C three times daily because he was taking Dilantin 100 mg three times a day due to the seizures.