Invalid?
So, I've suffered from depression for over a year now. In February, through a blood test I was diagnosed with a fairly severe vitamin D deficiency. I know that one of its symptoms is depression, so now I feel like all my awful feelings were just because of this deficiency. I was suicidal, and extremely depressed/hopeless. Since taking the supplements I have improved. I still get mood swings of depression fairly frequently, but that just seems normal to me now. I'm not suicidal, and I have more energy. I'm wondering if everything we caused by this deficiency and I have no real problem, or if my mood improving is the result of light therapy (school social worker) and changing seasons. It's all very confusing to me.
@ChristmasTreesInTheMoonlight
There may be a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and depression, but I don't think it's known if vitamin D deficiency is a direct cause. Not only have there not been enough studies done on the possible correlation between vitamin D deficiency and depression, but the whole thing is difficult to study/prove. I don't like putting the emphasis on the word "problem", but yes, you do have a problem--it isn't all caused by vitamin D deficiency. I personally believe you should consider contacting a licensed psychologist if you very depressed or have thoughts of suicide, unless you feel like the light therapy you're receiving now is helping.
@Glue thanks for the info. Since I do therapy through the school, I'm stopping over the summer. My mom knows about what I'm going through, but hasn't contacted any professional for me to see. I also have a pretty big self harm habit, which nobody knows about, so I'm a little nervous about summer. But luckily I haven't felt suicidal in several months
@ChristmasTreesInTheMoonlight I'm really glad you haven't felt suicidal in months, but do remember that the feeling could always return. The road to recovery is pretty dang rocky. :\
I hope your mother finds you a professional soon! (if you want one)
@ChristmasTreesInTheMoonlight
Studies have been done on vitamin D and it being necessary component in serotonin production. Without enough active serotonin in the brain it will not be able to feel anything but depression. I'm not a doctor but I do know enough from having SAD most of my life that UVB rays and regular consumption of D3 is the best way to make sure you have enough serotonin in your brain to begin with even for SSRIs to be all that effective. SSRI will only ensure the amount of serotonin that is already present in the brain remains active for longer by numbing the valve which controls the re-uptake of it but the drug does not contain any serotonin so SSRI are not a replacement for vitamin D and other nutrients. During the winter months in places like Canada where there's less UVB exposure to uncovered skin it is especially important to build up enough to compensate for months of lacking. Safe amounts of D3 max out at 4000 IU last I checked but I'm not a doctor and all bodies are different so it's best to follow your nutritionist for the right maximum for your body weight. I take 2000 IU and eat 3 servings of yogurt a day as well as trying to get 15 min of sun exposure when it's at about 45 degree angle from the ground (not through clouds or window glass cause UVB won't pass through those).