The pathological Aurum condition usually arises in people who possess a serious and introverted character. They are generally closed people, responsible and quite refined. At the early stages of pathology one can sense that they avoid superficial contact and tend to remain rather aloof or self-contained. Generally they are very disciplined and highly ambitious. They seem to have the fundamental conviction that they are destined for a superior and esteemed position in life.

In fact, their high opinion of themselves is often justified, for Aurum individuals tend to be serious-minded, mentally clear, responsible and intelligent. But through this seriousness, ambition, diligent self-application and industriousness they seem to lose the sense of lightness about life, cheerfulness. They will often say or convey the impression that throughout their life there has been a pervading sense of seriousness with a touch of sadness. It is as if a constant background of sad music had been playing in accompaniment to the events of their life. As the pathology develops, they will eventually go in to a state of self-reproach, self-criticism and, finally, a feeling that they are worthless and incapable of accomplishing anything.

After the correct prescription of Aurum for depression, one may witness significant irritability replacing the previous sadness plus the emergence of previously repressed anger that can appear as violent outbursts. One should not be in haste to prescribe another remedy in such a case; if one waits long enough, the anger and irritability will subside. Also, when prescribing a remedy for a really suicidal patient, it is wise to take some precautions (watchful attendance of the patient) during the first two or three days after prescribing the remedy as one can never be certain of the full extent of the patient's problems at the moment; it is prudent in such situations to protect the patient until the remedy has enough time to act. Usually such depressions will respond within forty-eight hours.