Anyone explore supplements and vitamins

[Miathecat]

hi looking for help, my DS 19 has suffered from anxiety and low moods, some intrusive thoughts for a few years, doc doesn’t think he needs medication but it’s affecting everything, he gave up uni and struggles to get to volunteering one afternoon a week. I want to explore vitamins before going back to doctor but really not sure where to start, anyone gone down that route with success?

Poor guy, I think you'd need to have a blood test first to know if there's any deficiency related to his poor mental health? Vit D and B12 are common culprits. Does he take vit D already? It's recommended for all UK adults so that would be an easy start.

Has he had any therapy? Psycotherapy is usually the most effective route.

He has a massive needle phobia (also due to the extreme anxiety) so would never consent to a blood test. He doesn’t take any vitamins at the moment. We got him some private cbt which he’s been to about three weeks but his low mood has been building over the last few days and he doesn’t know why. He has in the past few years fainted when really anxious (dentist, optician) but now I’m starting to wonder if some people just have really high levels of adrenaline, as an example he tripped carrying a plate of food and the rush of panic you get was enough to make him faint(doc said that was normal)

Vit d is worth starting then and maybe multivitamin.

CBT can work for some people to manage the symptoms like negative thought cycles of mental health issues, but it doesn't address the underlying causes in the way that other modalities like schema therapy integrative therapy would.

Hope he finds some healing. Sounds like he'd really benefit from outdoor time/exercise but he's stuck in a vicious cycle of not going out?

I managed to get him to go for a run yesterday when he didn’t make it to his volunteering, I’m going to order a Vitb complex with vit d and try and get him out running every other day, thanks I really appreciate your response

5-htp.

It boosts the sedition levels and helps relieve feelings of anxiety and depression.

Get him a good high quality cod liver oil. This is naturally high in vitamin d and k2, which should be taken together. It also contains omega 3 fatty acids which is good for brain function.

Along with that, lots of protein and veg in diet

Daily exercise is really important. It's good he went for a run. If he can do that regularly, along with other exercise like walking, cycling, swimming or any other activity, that can help a lot. It also helps if he can get to green spaces as nature helps to 'restore' us.

Something else he should do is keep mentally stimulated. He's intelligent and keeping mentally stimulated is really important for wellbeing.
This can be anything from doing courses, reading books or watching documentaries.
Even learning new recipes is good. Anything that he enjoys.
We're set up to keep learning as human beings so we don't do well if we don't keep it up.

Vit d.
Minimum 1000 iu a day (vitabiotics do one)
But he might need a loading dose which would be more if he is very deficient. My son had this at 17. Especially at this time of year.
The problem with cod liver oil or multivitamin is too much other vitamins in proportion to vitamin D if you need to correct vit D alone.

Sunshine between 11 and 4 is the sunshine that tops up vitamin in summer months.

B12 deficiency is also a thing.

I think the needle phobia needs addressing if you are to find out answers.

Magnesium has made a huge difference to DD’s anxiety. Also helps with sleep, etc. Holland and Barrett magnesium citrate powder is good - she just takes it stirred into a small amount of fruit juice.

Can you take magnesium citrate powder alongside vitb complex with vitamin d? He’s going to cut the grass today as it’s nice and sunny here, he says he feels a bit better today which is good but wish I could help him to get back to studying or work sometime soon he spends a lot of time on his own as he has social anxiety and doesn’t drink which is what all his peers seem to be doing

I’m not an expert, but I can’t see why not? DD also takes vitamin D and a multivitamin - but it’s the magnesium citrate that has made a difference. Hope he’s feeling better soon OP.

wish I could help him to get back to studying or work sometime soon

t's lovely that you want to support him but be cautious of over-responsibility, he needs to find his own way.

How about trying a sober meetup or event?

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