I think it’s fair to say if you’ve been around here any amount of time, you’re familiar with my on-and-off again battle with depression. I had some bloodwork done a couple months ago and they found out I was severely Vitamin-D deficient.
Insert mega-high dose of 50,000UI/week of Vitamin D for the last month.
Insert a huge difference.
Now, it’s not a perfect fix, but it’s helped tremendously.
You know those weeks where it’s cloudy all the time, but every once in a while the clouds break for a while and the sun is out, but then it gets cloudy again?? Instead of being cloudy all the time…there are significant breaks.? Which is AWESOME.
There are enough breaks that I haven’t felt necessary to actually start my antidepressant.
Anyway, I know many of you have also shared your own stories of depression, so if you haven’t had your blood tested for Vitamin D levels…I recommend it highly.
Comments
28 responses to “D is for Depression. No really – it is…”
This sounds like it’s is related to SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder. It’s described as a “winter blues” or seasonal depression that particularly strikes people in norther climates where the grey skies of winter rarely break for months. (I’m from the Upper Penninsula of Michigan…) Lack of sunlight can interfere with natural Vitamin D production. Treatments as simple at 30min of sun-lamp therapy help people tremendously.
If you’re depression is seasonal, it might be something to look into. In any case, I’m glad you’ve found something that’s helped!
I commented before as someone who has started to deal with depression. Mine isn’t severe, and I’ve chosen to try managing it with vitamins and diet.
There’s a book out that God brought to my attention, The Ultramind Diet, and that’s what I’m using. It’s written by a Dr., he gives practical guidance on vitamin deficiencies and food allergies that might be affecting you phsyically and mentally.
I too started on Vitamin D supplements last week, along with some others, and it has already made a difference in my energy levels and outlook. I’m no longer crying as I drive home :)
There’s nothing wrong with medication, and if this was not working, that’s what I would be doing. Just thought I’d pass on some info for anyone who was curious.
As the person above me suggested, a UV lamp is probably a good idea. Your skin synthesizes UV light into vitamin D, and you cannot get it from artificial light. In the absence of sunlight, it’s the next best thing.
I was told I am deficient in Vitamin D too. When I am faithful in taking my supplements, it makes a difference with me. I am so thankful that depression is not the issue of the day for me at this season in my life. I went through quite a few years when it was and I am praying for and doing my best to be supportive for my daughter who IS going through a depression right now. I have sent her a link to this site cuz sometimes it is just helpful to know that you are not alone when you are going through it. Thanks for being so transparent with all you have been through.
Glad to hear you are doing better, Anne! I’ve meant to d Twitterize you to check-up on your progress. Hoping and praying for your continued healing!
further proves that so much about depression is chemical. take that, Tom Cruise.
great news! and, looking forward to what is shakin’ down in the ATL. :)
Simply, my prayers are with you. I have a friend that was deathly depressed last week and turned to the bottle. I have never ministered this in deepth to someone that was drunk, but he was vile and roots of the cause exposed themselves during this moment. All I know is that “Greater is He.” I hope this word brings a smile to your face that I am now getting in my heart, ” The light comes from the inside out.” “For every cloudy day there is a ray of warming light that longs to pierce my soul from the depths of my heart.” Blessing for you today Anne.
I hate to say this, but I think a large part of your depression is because you are so deeply involved in a church that says that it is a sin to be who and what you are. Denying your most personal nature is an instant recipe for life-long depression. (So is never going outside, which is a good way to become vitamin-D deficient.)
I hope you can come to terms with your sexuality and find a church that accepts you for who and what you are. I had a good friend when I was younger who ended up killing herself because she went to a church where there was a program to “cure” gays and lesbians. She was not cured and could not get over the “fact” that her very nature was sinful.
I also knew the guy who I believe was the very first gay man to be “cured” by such a program. But in the end, a decade or two after I knew him, he finally came out and admitted that he never “turned straight”. He was lying all the time because he wanted to fit in and he felt like telling the truth would cause his family and church friends to reject him.
Your story makes me so sad. I wish you well and I hope you continue your journey into a community where people accept you for who you are and don’t expect you to deny your true identity and feelings. All love is good. If you love someone of the same sex, more power to you. Please do not deny or repress love. God knows there is enough hatred and violence in this world. We need to embrace love in whatever form we find it.
I must buy myself some multi-vitamins.
This is an awesome answer to prayer!
anne – pls come out of the closet! it’s for your own good girl
@donna – our girl anne ain’t gay
@donna – our girl anne ain?t gay
Whoops! I misread the “why is it a sin to be gay?” post as being personal. (Or maybe I didn’t.)
Anne, don’t be depressed…. you got a very cute nose!
whoa . . . where did the idea of Anne being gay come into play? What’s with that? I don’t believe that’s any of the case here. Someone mis-read or mis-interpreted something. Come on people . . . lay off.
Ya – the SAD thing, sun, etc. is very big with depression. My wife and I both go into a funk this time of year. Especially after the holidays and all, not to mention I lost both of my parents in the past 7 years all around the holidays – one in Dec. and one in Jan. Like the 2nd week of January the past two years has been awful for me. Just want to crawl under a rock and . . .
I also heard a statistic of that same week – like 2nd or 3d week of January – is highest for suicide rates.
I’ve decided that I think we definitely need to go to Florida or somewhere sunny from now on during that week for sure. There’s a good reason so many do!!!
I understand. I feel that depression is most likely for me right after a huge HIGH. After a big win, or a long earned success. What do you think?
I attend a bible college in Southern Missouri. Today, I saw your book in our bookstore. It was really cool to see. Haha.
Hi Anne,
I have been enjoying your blog. I appreciate that you take on some hard subjects. Some of the comments can be a little rough. Since I started reading your blog a few weeks ago (I came here from an article on church marketing) I have been praying for you and your depression. My wife has been battling depression for many years now. She has good seasons and hard seasons. Anyway, you are in my prayers and I am glad you got some relief from the Vitamin D. Congratulations on your book release as well!
Hang in there kidd-o!
There is plenty of reasons to…
You have a lot to offer!!!
WHOA! I am just now catching up on this :)
@donna – no, I am not gay. the post below is from a friend of mine. And our church loves people regardless of gender, orientation, color, whatever! everyone’s welcome, nobody’s perfect, anything is possible is our mantra :)
I never heard about the vitamin D connection, so I am definitely going to try that out. I’ve been pretty open about my battle with depression for years now…it’s still a struggle to get past the mentality that there is something wrong with my faith if I am battling depression. I run into that attitude at church and with many Christian people a lot. To be honest, I still fight that in myself as well.
But the flip side to living with this condition is that it forces me to desperately seek Him. It’s probably been one of the single-most prominent catalysts for my spiritual growth.
I continually pray for healing, but if this is the thorn that I have to endure, then I will also continue to thank Him for it causing me to grow spiritually in that way.
Thanks, Anne, for opening up about this. Too many of us have let shame keep us quiet.
My dear friend was diagnoses with vitamin D deficiency a few weeks ago. It is really been a hard road for her to get the doctors to do the test necessary instead of thinking it was all “in her head”. Thank you for sharing your story so that other women will know about this and be able to ask their doctor to run this test.
I also want to thank you for boldly coming forward in a matter of fact way about struggling with depression and having taken anti-depressants. I just wrote an article for Takerootandwrite.com which will be out in the middle of February discussing this very topic of dealing with mental illness and taking neurotic/psychotic medication while you are a evangelical Christian. We have got to stop crushing our own hurting family members.
I love you lively website, oh, and congratulations on your new book! Way to Go!
I find it so discouraging that so many people are having to hide their struggles because of fear of being viewed as having weak, wrong or imperfect faith that might somehow overcome mental illness and chemical disorders.
I recently came across this article about vitamin D helping to prevent cancer. I guess a little sunshine is a good thing. i’m looking forward to spring!
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7106.cfm
Remember going off of antidepressants can cause depression, and it can take 3 weeks+ for it to be fully out of your system
I’m full of vitamin Z
Ha, there must be an epidemic or something. I too had a blood test a few weeks ago and found out that I am Vit. D deficient (living in upstate NY will do that to ya). Wasn’t experiencing depression, but other side effects. My doc says she is finding this deficiency a lot these days. Interesting. So glad you found a piece of the puzzle!
Many people are ashamed to take medication for anxiety or depression. However, there is no shame in taking insulin if you’re diabetic. In the same way, Lexapro is a wonderful drug to regulate seratonin levels in the brain. I know it has benefited me!
My endocrinologist just told me that Vitamin D deficiency has nothing to do with mood or depression. Just as a heads-up…but the lack of adequate sunlight WILL affect mood and seratonin levels, etc. (SAD). I also take vitamin D in the amount you take, but also take an antidepressant.