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Original poster

…to think a multivitamin may have cured my crippling driving anxiety?

84 replies

ReallyAVitamin · 20/12/2025 23:38

Okay, the backstory is (and I’ve posted about this issue a couple of times previous under different UNs because it’s honestly been so debilitating)

I am late 30s, have loved cars and been driving since I was 17. Have driven the length and breadth of the country, would just leave the house, with no destination, on my days off and see where the road took me…. Basically I loved driving and I loved cars.

About 2.5 years ago I developed totally unexpected, sudden and crippling driving anxiety. Disaster, I’m a single Mum working in sales.

Have been trying to medicate with propranolol which helps a bit, but not enough for the level of anxiety I had. Have looked into hypnotism, taken online CBT, listened to driving anxiety specific hypnotism audio going to bed. Nothing has helped, and my world has gotten smaller.

But… I started taking a cheap multivitamin from Lidl about 3 weeks ago, and for the last week, I’m actually looking forward to getting in the car because the anxiety is 90% reduced. I’m actually going out of my way a little to test the specific anxieties I’ve had.

I’ve have a pretty good diet, breakfast, lunch and dinner all homemade. I think it’s pretty balanced. But the only thing I’ve changed in the last couple of weeks is this cheap multivitamin. Could it actually be possible my anxiety was down to a vitamin deficiency? It’s probably mad 😅

OP posts:
Original poster
ReallyAVitamin · 22/12/2025 11:55

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 22/12/2025 11:43

if it works... it works. congrats x

Thank you x

OP posts:
Original poster
ReallyAVitamin · 22/12/2025 11:51

GasPanic · 22/12/2025 11:42

If you fancy finding out whether it was the cause you could turn your body into a science lab and stop taking the multivitamin for a few weeks or reduce the frequency and see what happens.

Haha… I had this EXACT thought! 😅

I really would love to understand if this has been the cause, but I’m so unbelievably elated and relieved right now to be able to drive without panic that I’ll have to consider that experiment a bit further! I’ll let you know if I go ahead and stop taking it 🧬🧪🔬

OP posts:
eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 22/12/2025 11:43

if it works... it works. congrats x

GasPanic · 22/12/2025 11:42

If you fancy finding out whether it was the cause you could turn your body into a science lab and stop taking the multivitamin for a few weeks or reduce the frequency and see what happens.

OttersMayHaveShifted · 22/12/2025 11:37

YANBU. I cured my perimenopausal anxiety by starting to take a 'Well Woman 50+' multivitamin and mineral supplement and an ashwagandha supplement. I started taking them both at the same time, so I'm not actually sure which made the difference (or maybe it was a bit of both)! I have a tendency to be anaemic, but full-on individual iron supplements don't agree with me.

I'd had really bad post-natal anxiety which I never sought help for, so when I started to feel those same feelings resurfacing I was determined not to be dragged back down again. I thought I might as well try some supplements before ending up on serious meds and hey presto - anxiety gone within 2 weeks. It was like flipping a switch!

Eyelashesoffire · 22/12/2025 11:37

SimplyBudgie · 22/12/2025 10:38

These are actually decent - it's a really broad covering of multivitamins and minerals, from memory the only ones less than 100% NRV are magnesium and calcium.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies cause all sorts.

Dh has struggled with sleep and restless legs for literally decades. A few months ago after I did a LOT of research, he started a high strength magnesium supplement, an hour before bed each night. Within two weeks his problems resolved. Just like that. No more restless legs and he's since been falling asleep faster and also sleeping more soundly than in the 21 years I've known him.

Show quote history

I used to have terrible restless legs, now I use a magnesium spray and it's totally disappeared.

Original poster
ReallyAVitamin · 22/12/2025 11:33

WildLeader · 22/12/2025 11:27

When I had agoraphobia, gp suggested antidepressants, but I really didn’t want to take them as I’ve had side effects before and ultimately they didn’t work for me.

she then suggested Rescue Remedy- it REALLY helped! I don’t know if it was placebo effect but ultimately, I don’t care if it helped

keep doing what works!! Are you potentially perimenopausal? That can trigger anxiety out of nowhere too.

Show quote history

So glad you found a solution to help. And is your agoraphobia under control now?

I don’t think I’m perimenopausal. Still regular periods and the women in my family don’t seem to go through the menopause until their early 50s, I’m late 30s. But I couldn’t believe how common sudden onset anxiety of all kinds is with perimenopause, definitely something I will be keeping an eye on.

OP posts:
Original poster
ReallyAVitamin · 22/12/2025 11:30

bonesandbooth2025 · 22/12/2025 11:26

I need to remember to take mine, had an awful panic attack driving the other day

This is your reminder… Go take that multivitamin!

OP posts:
WildLeader · 22/12/2025 11:27

ReallyAVitamin · 20/12/2025 23:47

Oh, I absolutely have considered a placebo situation. But I didn’t take the multivitamin thinking it would do anything for the anxiety. I honestly just bunged them in the trolley during the weekly shop.

But now that I think it actually COULD be the multivitamin, hopefully the placebo effect continues 😅

Show quote history

When I had agoraphobia, gp suggested antidepressants, but I really didn’t want to take them as I’ve had side effects before and ultimately they didn’t work for me.

she then suggested Rescue Remedy- it REALLY helped! I don’t know if it was placebo effect but ultimately, I don’t care if it helped

keep doing what works!! Are you potentially perimenopausal? That can trigger anxiety out of nowhere too.

bonesandbooth2025 · 22/12/2025 11:26

I need to remember to take mine, had an awful panic attack driving the other day

SeaAndStars · 22/12/2025 11:17

@ReallyAVitamin I'd leave the swimming to the summer when the sea is a bit warmer - then when you get used to it you can try to push it out into the colder months. Starting in the new year would be brutal!!

Original poster
ReallyAVitamin · 22/12/2025 11:14

Unicornsarefluffy · 22/12/2025 11:07

That’s great news op. I hope it continues to work. This website suggests a link.

https://www.health.com/magnesium-and-vitamin-d-for-anxiety-11712542

This is an interesting article about vitamin D. I have taken a high dose for over 10 years as I read the guideline recommendations are too low.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150317122458.htm

There was a woman on here that was incredibly knowledgable about Vitamin D and I read up on it following her posts many years ago. Vitamin k2 is essential if you take D but it’s rarely mentioned.

Thank you so much for these articles, will add to my reading list… I am going to happily go down this rabbit hole over the Christmas period and try to educate myself!

OP posts:
Original poster
ReallyAVitamin · 22/12/2025 11:13

SeaAndStars · 22/12/2025 10:57

From my own experience I can say that something which really eases my driving anxiety is cold water swimming.

I'm off now to buy multivitamins. Thanks OP.

Interesting! I’m such a wimp though, I can’t bear the cold water! But I know how much exercise and the outdoors are so beneficial to your mental health, but my walking/hiking hasn’t eased the anxiety I experienced. Maybe cold water is something I should brave in the New Year! 🙈🥶

OP posts:
Original poster
ReallyAVitamin · 22/12/2025 11:08

boxofbuttons · 22/12/2025 10:56

Makes sense to me - my only symptom of a Vitamin D deficiency was crippling anxiety!

It’s so interesting @boxofbuttons- can I ask how you managed to link the two?

OP posts:
Unicornsarefluffy · 22/12/2025 11:07

That’s great news op. I hope it continues to work. This website suggests a link.

https://www.health.com/magnesium-and-vitamin-d-for-anxiety-11712542

This is an interesting article about vitamin D. I have taken a high dose for over 10 years as I read the guideline recommendations are too low.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150317122458.htm

There was a woman on here that was incredibly knowledgable about Vitamin D and I read up on it following her posts many years ago. Vitamin k2 is essential if you take D but it’s rarely mentioned.

Could magnesium and vitamin D be the key to feeling less anxious? What the research says

Improving your magnesium and vitamin D levels with supplements or nutrient-rich foods may help with anxiety, and taking them together may boost the benefits.

https://www.health.com/magnesium-and-vitamin-d-for-anxiety-11712542

Original poster
ReallyAVitamin · 22/12/2025 11:07

SimplyBudgie · 22/12/2025 10:38

These are actually decent - it's a really broad covering of multivitamins and minerals, from memory the only ones less than 100% NRV are magnesium and calcium.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies cause all sorts.

Dh has struggled with sleep and restless legs for literally decades. A few months ago after I did a LOT of research, he started a high strength magnesium supplement, an hour before bed each night. Within two weeks his problems resolved. Just like that. No more restless legs and he's since been falling asleep faster and also sleeping more soundly than in the 21 years I've known him.

Show quote history

That’s incredible, I’m so glad your DH has solved his sleeping and restless leg issues. I’ve had restless legs and it is beyond frustrating.

OP posts:
Original poster
ReallyAVitamin · 22/12/2025 11:05

Itsmetheflamingo · 22/12/2025 10:30

The reason I think it’s doubtful is if you had a vit B, D or iron deficiency (which I agree is very common) a normal multivitamin would be unlikely to have the levels you would need to rectify it.

I would think maybe it’s just gone- these things can come on suddenly and leave suddenly!

This is why I think it’s so bonkers, I’ve only been taking it 2/3 weeks so didn’t think I could have built up the levels required to solve a vitamin deficiency in that time, if that’s actually been a contributor to the driving anxiety. I don’t even know if I had a vitamin deficiency! All I know, is that this crippling physical and mental anxiety seems to have ceased and it’s coincided with the multivitamin.

I will not look a gift horse in the mouth though… as @Eyesopenwideawakesaid above, I’m just going to believe it has cured the anxiety!

OP posts:
NeverDropYourMooncup · 22/12/2025 11:00

NeverDropYourMooncup · 22/12/2025 10:53

Depends what's in them - it'll be listed.

Show quote history

Just googled. It really does depend upon which ones you take whether it could put you at risk of too much of fat soluble vitamins. I can see one type doesn't contain vitamin D, so it wouldn't be bad to take a separate dose of that (as per health guidelines regarding vitamin D) if that's the one you drink.

SeaAndStars · 22/12/2025 10:57

From my own experience I can say that something which really eases my driving anxiety is cold water swimming.

I'm off now to buy multivitamins. Thanks OP.

boxofbuttons · 22/12/2025 10:56

Makes sense to me - my only symptom of a Vitamin D deficiency was crippling anxiety!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 22/12/2025 10:53

InMyOodie · 22/12/2025 10:49

Whatever is in them, I want to be on them too!

I take Phizz electrolytes every day so I wonder would be I taking too much of anything with both?

Depends what's in them - it'll be listed.

InMyOodie · 22/12/2025 10:49

Whatever is in them, I want to be on them too!

I take Phizz electrolytes every day so I wonder would be I taking too much of anything with both?

SimplyBudgie · 22/12/2025 10:38

ReallyAVitamin · 20/12/2025 23:44

It’s literally just a cheap one from Lidl, the brand is MinaVit. I’m in Ireland and it was about €3.50 for the month packet.

I have to be mad to think this has helped ease 2.5 years of anxiety… but I dunno! 😅

Show quote history

These are actually decent - it's a really broad covering of multivitamins and minerals, from memory the only ones less than 100% NRV are magnesium and calcium.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies cause all sorts.

Dh has struggled with sleep and restless legs for literally decades. A few months ago after I did a LOT of research, he started a high strength magnesium supplement, an hour before bed each night. Within two weeks his problems resolved. Just like that. No more restless legs and he's since been falling asleep faster and also sleeping more soundly than in the 21 years I've known him.

Itsmetheflamingo · 22/12/2025 10:30

The reason I think it’s doubtful is if you had a vit B, D or iron deficiency (which I agree is very common) a normal multivitamin would be unlikely to have the levels you would need to rectify it.

I would think maybe it’s just gone- these things can come on suddenly and leave suddenly!

Eyesopenwideawake · 22/12/2025 10:26

The mind is a powerful beast. If you believe the multi-vitamins have cured your anxiety then they have.

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