Should I take a B-Complex vitamin without talking to a professional?

Question

I've been a bit depressed lately. Really the only time I'm happy is when I'm with friends and I only see them maybe one weekend a month. I'm going to school 3hrs away and have no friends here. My parents are moving to Europe in a few weeks and I'm afraid my depression is going to get worse when they leave. Although I think it will level out because I'll be closer to my friends over summer. My mother says I should see a doctor about depression but with school ending it's too late to see the uni clinic and my parents insurance is switching or ending (really I don't know what up with it). I don't want to take a perscription and don't really have time for a shrink/therapist.

Anywho the real question. I want to see if taking a daily B-Complex vitamin will help my mood. Is a good idea to start a daily treatment like this without talking to a doctor or therapist?

Answer 1

Try St. John's Wort

Answer 2

i think it'll be okay.

i took vitamin e without talking to a doctor.

but idk, vitamin e only helps your skin, lungs, and heart.

but still.

its just a vitamin.

Answer 3

Taking a B vitamin will not hurt, also add some fish oil or flaxseed oil, borage oil and/or evening primrose oil. Make sure you are eating a healthy diet, plenty of water, fresh fruits and veggies and lean meat. Avoid caffeine, sugars, artificial sweeteners (try Stevia, or a natural sweetener) nicotine, and alcohol. Exercise can help also. There are various herbs that can help with depression.

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/depressi...

You may also want to consider talking to a therapist, it is not neccessary to take prescription medication to do so, but it may help just to talk....Good Luck

Answer 4

First to answer your real question - I see no reason to seek out a doctor or therapist to ask about simple b vitamins.  Since you are aware that b vitamins can help, you must have looked it up or heard it somewhere, right?  So keep educating yourself.  Generally speaking b vitamins assist with the nervous system, depression, anxiety, skin, eyes, hair, and a host of other areas.  Sooooo...my answer would be to get a good quality B vitamin...preferably a food source vitamin.  Health food stores have the most options...as 'pill' vitamins are man-made thus not as absorbed as completely as food.  I lean towards - spirulina, chlorella (algaes) wheat grass - and take/make my own organic powder (high in vegetable protein too) - but if you look in health food stores you may find capsules or tablet's as well.  Ask the folks working there. You will get MUCH faster results with these type of supplements...so that's worth considering as well.  

That being said...what your situation sounds like is something that anyone would find themselves 'down' about...but I'm not quite so quick to label someone with 'depression' just because life is not going perfectly and you may just need better coping skills - possible?  Only you know how you feel of course - and there are low budget counseling centers no matter where you live...so again, doing some research in your area is a way of finding these things out.  

You are smart enough to know you are having difficulties as well as even going far enough to inquire about what you can do (b vitamins) - so keep on that 'roll' ;o) and be open for even more options to feel better.  Make new friends!  Have you ever volunteered?  This is a great way to add to your skills, do something that helps someone, YOU feel GOOD, and you meet great people in the process.  Plus it distracts you from your 'worries' or concerns.  Also take some time to do things you may enjoy...hobbies, cooking, reading, hiking, working out (also great for depression) -

Obviously this is more than you asked for...but I hate to see someone settle for less in life simple because you've hit a slight roadblock.  Good luck!  :o)

Answer 5

Vitamin B is fine to take, but watch the dosage, you can actually overdose on B vitamins. But you need to see a doctor, I've gone through deep depression and the meds can help, and they wont make you a zombie or anything like that, I've been on Zoloft for three years now, no depression or anxiety it great, so for your health and happiness i would go to a doctor. I hope all works out and take it easy.

Answer 6

Actually a good vitamin B Complex would help with depression.  Low folate and vitamin B12 are linked to depression.  St. John's Wart is supposed to help but it raises blood pressure dramatically if taken for too long, and it is different for many people.  It only took a week and a half to shoot my blood pressure out the roof!   A friend of mine took it for about a month and a half before it affected his blood pressure.  So, I can't in all good conscience recommend St. John's Wort to anyone.

Also low levels of vitamin C can cause depression.  If you are a college student the chances  are you have spent many a late night studying.  That can shoot your stress way up, plus your parents are moving to Europe.  College students are notorious for not eating  a balanced healthy diet.  

So you may well be experiencing a vitamin and mineral deficiency.

A good quality multi-vitamin with emphasis on the B complex vitamins would probably be good for you.  Read the labels carefully and make sure you are not allergic to any of the fillers.   Chewable C and or ester C is good, too.

Check out this site on vitamins and depression:http://depression.about.com/cs/diet/a/vi...

Remember, more is not better.   It took time for you to get this far, it'll take a little time for your body to make use of the vitamins if there is no underlying health problem.  If you have any, and I mean any side effects, like dizziness, nausea, etc.  Stop immediately!   I learned the hard way I was allergic to some of the ingredents in the vitamin pill.  So take care.