Repertory › Remedies in the repertory

Germanium metallicum (Germ‑met.)

Germanium metallicum (Germ‑met.) appears in 354 rubrics in the Repertory. Of these, 27 are single rubrics in which only this remedy appears, and 24 are small rubrics with at most two other remedies. The emphasis lies very clearly in Delusions, alongside which stand Mistakes, Fear, Memory, Anxiety and Confusion of mind. The picture is that of a person who feels shut in, controlled and misunderstood, who experiences himself as worthless, unloved, and yet at the same time superior to others.

Captivity and control

The delusions revolve around lack of freedom. Recorded are the feeling of being shut in, of being a prisoner, of being taken prisoner, and, as a single rubric, of being a wild, captured, caged animal; the smaller rubric names the idea of being an animal. In addition comes the conviction of being under control, in such a way that every movement and every thought is controlled. The feeling of being pushed or thrust backward, or of being pulled upward by the neck, also belongs here. Secrets and plans would be revealed, and the person believes she will be murdered, for instance like a horse or a dog shot in the head.

Worthlessness and superiority

The self-image is twofold. On the one hand the person feels incapable and unfit to be loved, feels like a nobody, a coward, without a place in the world and misunderstood. She believes she deserves reproach because she has neglected her duties. On the other hand a small rubric stands for the delusion of the badness and inferiority of others, "while she/he is magnificent". Also recorded are the longing for romantic love and self-love, plus spiteful behavior toward loved persons.

Altered perception

Perception is strongly affected. Strangers seem familiar, objects appear changed, the world seems shabby, the room smaller, the bed too small. A unique rubric describes how a stationary car seems to travel through the field of vision while driving; to this belong unconsciousness while actively driving a car and the delusion of being in outer space. The body seems absent, a hand separated, voices are heard from absent persons, and the person sees faces looking imploringly. The thought of being a teenager is also recorded.

Mistakes, memory and speech

Mistakes are a further area; the rubric on perception names misunderstanding what was seen or heard. Speech is difficult, as if the tongue would not obey, and there is a curt state when speaking is required. In singing, an octave is hit too high or too low. Memory is good both for proper names and for the correct names. Clarity of thought and wealth of ideas have a fixed time window in the afternoon between 1 and 2 p.m.

Mind

The mental rubrics are brief: anger is sudden and passes quickly, at the onset of menses indifference is recorded, after menses there is screaming. Anxiety of conscience arises when the person is observed. In the morning boredom prevails, in the forenoon sighing.

Summary

The picture of Germanium metallicum is carried by the feeling of captivity, control and worthlessness, set against which is a haughty devaluation of others. The displaced perception, the faulty performance and the inhibition of speech round it out. A king-pin symptom is not identified in the available data.

A reference work for professionals; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment.