Concepts Natrum Sulphuricum
Sadness and depression Clothing Closed, alone Beauty, grace and harmony
Restriction Joy
Denial, forbidden Love and relationships
Sensitive Jealousy
Holding on
AnalysisFrom the group analysis we can deduce the theme of Nat-s to be the idea that they stand alone in matters of love. They feel that they don’t know what love is, or that they are not allowed to experience it. They feel emotionally neglected. A loving relationship with a partner is just not for them. In the repertory we find the symptoms 'estranged from her family', or 'estranged from his wife'. One of my own patients put it into words very well: she also had the feeling that she was not destined to have a steady relationship. As long as they were still just lovers everything was fine. But as soon as it threatened to become a serious relationship all her feelings disappeared. She got the feeling that 'her heart was locked', physically as well as emotionally.
A situation where Nat-s would probably be needed quite often would be that of religious people in monasteries. They could have the feeling that they are not allowed to have a relationship and that they should restrain themselves.
A variation on the theme is that Nat-s people might feel bound to their partner through duty. This can extend itself to their children and the rest of the family. They feel very responsible for their family and their partner, which makes them feel restricted. They might feel that their partner always comes first and that they lose out. That can be a reason for them to avoid relationships, because a 'personal sort of sacrifice may be expected of them'.
A lack of love can also lead to a lack of joy. They feel that the joy in life is diminishing, that they are not allowed to be joyful. This can gradually turn into depression. Nat-s is one of the most depressed remedies, certainly the most depressed of all the Natrums. The depression can lead to thoughts or attempts of suicide. But even in this aspect they are often prevented from doing it by their partner ar family. They feel that they can’t put them through that pain. This conscience forbids them to deny their family his love. Vithoulkas (1991 b, page 141) also says that Nat-s wants to commit suicide, but feels restrained by their family and children. They can’t make them suffer. In the repertory we find the symptom: 'loathing life, must restrain herself to prevent doing herself injury'.
Another variation on the theme is that they have the feeling that they are not wearing any clothes. As expressed in 'delusion he is naked'. This symptom is not mentioned in any of the literature, but has been used by Vithoulkas (1991b, page 142) in his practice. Two cases which he presented showed this symptom. After a lot of searching questions, especially about emotional problems, the patient would say: 'Doctor, you are undressing me!' They have the idea that there is nobody to whom they can safely reveal their innermost feelings. They lock themselves up in their clothes.