Vitamin deficiency effecting behavior? - Vitamins & Supplements Message Board

Dopesick · 03-02-2005, 12:48 AM

For a long time, my girlfriend has had some depression issues, and lately, anxiety problems. Nothing extreme, but definitely significant. She's on Zoloft for her depression and has anxiety medication as well. She tells me that she's unable to control herself or break out of those moods easily when she gets into them, which leads me to believe it's probably chemical. Call me old-fashioned, but I'm not big into pumping someone full of meds.

This leads to my question...could it be a vitamin/nutrient deficiency?

Many times I've heard her say "Well I ate three crackers at lunch and had a little salad for dinner," and that would be her entire set of meals for the day. Not every day, but quite a number of them. I doubt she ever eats a complete three meals. She doesn't take vitamins. She drinks an average amount of water, but it's usually just that -- water. Nothing with vitamins, except the occasional habiscus or cranberry juice. When she does eat, it's usually something healthy, the stuff you'd find at health food grocery stores -- noodles with some sort of cheese, salad with chicken, soups, etc. Once in a while she'll eat fast food. Nothing packed full of vitamins.

So is there any vitamin she could be missing that might be causing these behavioral problems? And if so, should she simply go to the store and buy a bottle of vitamins? I'm rather worried about her, and to be honest, I only see a very minimal difference since she's been on these meds. I don't think it's worth it.

A little information on her...She doesn't work out very much, she's 22, and 140lbs.

I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, I did my best to find the most suitable one. Thanks for any help you could give me.

Brian

browneyedsusie · 03-02-2005, 06:53 AM

Hi Brian~
Nice to see your trying to help her out!! I have always been told by my doctor and homeopath that the the "B" vitamins are soooo important. Especially for woman. A good brand of B complex usually around the 50mg is great for stress, anxiety. It tends to deplete in your body quickly if you are prone to these things. Of course any good multi vit with minerals is good too if you are not getting dark green leafy veges, or your diet lacks in nutrients. I myself find a huge diff with the B complex, as does my 16 yr old daughter. It is also wonderful for PMS and can be doubled up the week before your cycle. It may take a month to reap the benefits...but she will notice a difference.
Good luck ......L

Dopesick · 03-04-2005, 01:16 AM

Thanks for the information! I'll buy her some and get her on them as quick as possible. I really hope it helps, I'll be sure to post my results.

KittyLove · 03-04-2005, 04:47 PM

Your message caught my attention because I've done a lot of reading up on vitamins for depression and anxiety and have tried a few in my time. I've also been on antidepressants on and off. As long as I can remember, I have always suffered from mood swings, cloudy thinking, depression, irritability, and anxiety.

I have been taking vitamins since everyday since about 18 years old, I'm 37 now. I can't say it's helped me much, unless I'm WAY outta sorts and it has improved my moods.

My point is I finally decided to get tested for allergies. I am currently trying to lose weight, and my vitamin book recommended getting tested to rule out foods I'm allergic to. Saying people who cut out those foods will quickly stabilize their weight. Turns out I'm allergic to Yeast and peanuts. At first I thought, just forego bread, alcohol, and vinegar. Now that I'm reading up on things and reading labels, turns out most of my vitamins contain yeast so I had to go out and replace them.

During my research, I've found out that if you're allergic to yeast and you consume it your symptoms could be: fatigue, moodiness, irritability, depression, fuzzy thinking, inability to concentrate, acne, and obesity.

I've just recently started avoiding yeast by reading labels, and I have to say I already have been feeling better and lighter! I'm glad I've finally got tested. This just might be the answer to finally improving my mood swings.

browneyedsusie · 03-04-2005, 06:39 PM

Hi Kitty and Brian
That is an interesting story...And yes, Yeast can do some really nasty things to you. Read up on Candida. Good quality vitamins should not contain yeast...you pay a little more but the product is worth it. B vitamins are really important for stress (sometimes they are sold as stress formula) but like I mentioned to Brian you have to be taking a good one and at least a 50 mg of each B vitamin or 50mg B complex even starting off at 2 a day until they get in your system. By the way Brian tell your girlfriend not to panic if her urine is flourescent as they will do this. Well keep up with the banning the yeast diet Kitty, I have a friend that reaped wonderful health benefits doing this. There are some antifungal (herbal products) that can help get any lingering in your system out.......Good luck..Lesley

P.S. Brian when I was your girlfriends age I spent yrs on anti-depre and anxiety meds...Through vitamins and herbal and homeopathy I have used no traditional meds for 9 yrs. I am not suggesting your g.f. go off them taht has to be done carefully with your doctors supervision but maybe someday she will want to try an alternate. 10yrs ago I would have laughed at anybody if they told me I would some day not need them!!!