Vitamin D Deficiency and Seasonal Depression: Sunlight to Blame?

Introduction:

Seasonal depression means episodes of depression that follow the pattern of seasons. Vitamin D is very important for healthy bones, immunity, and the growth of cells. Recently studies have been done and shown that vitamin D is essential to treat mood disorders that follow seasonal variation.

What Is Seasonal Depression?

A depression or mood changes follow a pattern of seasons. Generally, it starts during the seasons of fall or winter and subsides during spring or summer. It is usually more common among individuals who dwell away from the equator and who have a personal or family history of depression. Women are more prone to seasonal depression than males. Children are more affected than older individuals.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is produced in the skin when sunlight falls on it. Hence sun exposure is very much necessary for the formation of vitamin D. When there is a deficiency of vitamin D, it may affect the mood and cause depression. This finding has recently been known by many researchers.

How Vitamin D Is Linked to Seasonal Depression?

Individuals with depression showed a deficiency of vitamin D in the blood. A study has also shown that vitamin D deficiency, if present during pregnancy, may lead to postpartum depression which may last for days, weeks, or months after the birth of a baby. Some studies have shown that taking vitamin D did not show any difference in the level of depression. Other studies also found that taking vitamin D did not have any effect on depression. Since findings are mixed, further studies are required to know the link between vitamin intake and depression.

What Are the Risk Factors for Vitamin D Deficiency?

Risk factors for vitamin deficiency are

• Age.

• Less exposure to sunlight.

• Factors related to lifestyle.

When individuals do not go to the sun or if less exposure to the sun happens, this leads to vitamin D deficiency. The amount of sun exposure depends on the local climatic conditions, time of the day, or year. Individuals with fair skin take less time to prepare vitamin D than darker-skinned individuals.

This disparity is due to the presence of more melanin in darker-skinned individuals. This melanin stops the production of vitamin D. Hence they face vitamin deficiency in their body.

Natural foods that are rich in vitamin D are

• Salmon.

• Fatty fish.

• Animal fats.

• Fish liver oil.

• Mackerel.

• Orange juice.

• Cereals.

Individuals with a vegetarian diet tend to have vitamin D deficiency.

Sources of vitamin D for vegetarians are

• Fruits.

• Mushroom.

• Milk products.

• Grain products.

Individuals living away from the equator and places where less sunlight is present, have to spend more time in sunlight to avoid vitamin deficiency. Obesity is also a factor in vitamin D deficiency. Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30, show vitamin D deficiency. More vitamin D is required to meet the nutrient levels among obese than other individuals. With the increase in age, one can have vitamin D deficiency. The reason is that the skin cannot efficiently form vitamin D. Another reason is less exposure to sunlight and not having food that is rich in vitamin D.

What Are the Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency and Depression?

Deficiency of vitamin D and depression are two separate conditions but recently it is been found to have interlinks between the two conditions.

Symptoms related to vitamin D deficiency are

• Pain in bones.

• Tiredness and feeling drowsy.

• Weakness and pain in the joints and muscles.

Symptoms of depression are

• Feeling sad, lost of hope, and helpless.

• Lack of sleep or excessive sleepiness.

• Feeling tired.

• Either weight loss or gain.

• Not feeling hungerness.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Tendency to forget things.

• Losing interest in sex.

• Back pain and headache.

• Feeling uneasy.

• Suicidal tendencies.

Symptoms of these two conditions are different but both may occur at the same time.

How to Diagnose Vitamin D Deficiency and Depression?

These two conditions are different but maybe interlinked with each other.

Diagnosis of depression includes the following.

A general practitioner may start an assessment regarding mental health. Following questions may be asked to know some of the information like

• About mood.

• Activities of daily living.

• Eating habits and sleep patterns.

• Variations of thoughts and behavior during different seasons.

• Regarding symptoms, whether they prevent them from doing daily activities.

• Any family history present that may contribute to the condition.

A physical examination is also done. Seasonal depression is difficult to diagnose as symptoms are similar to other types of depression. Time is required to know about the pattern of depression. A confirmed diagnosis can be done

• If depression occurs at the same time every year for at least two years.

• If the time duration of depression is followed by without depression.

Diagnosis of vitamin deficiency includes

• A blood test is required to check vitamin D deficiency.

What Are the Treatments for Vitamin D Deficiency and Seasonal Depression?

These two conditions are different but treating vitamin D deficiency may improve depression.

Treatment for vitamin D deficiency includes

• Vitamin D supplements.

• Increasing sun exposure.

• Foods that are rich in vitamin D along with vitamin D supplements.

Treatment for seasonal depression includes

Depression is generally treated by a healthcare professional through

• Psychotherapy.

• Antidepressants.

These can be combined with dietary changes if necessary.

The following steps may be added to reduce the symptoms of depression.

• Connecting with a group that can help people in difficult situations over the phone, online, or in any other way.

• Exercise on a regular basis may help minimize the risk of depression.

• Sleeping schedule to be observed. Getting up and sleeping at the same time every day may assist with depression.

• Reaching out for help from trustworthy friends and family may provide assistance in dealing with the problem.

Conclusion:

Seasonal depression is a mental health condition, that is related to different seasons. This condition may affect one’s quality of life. This condition is interlinked with vitamin D deficiency. Hence it becomes important to know about these conditions, their risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments. Knowing about the conditions aids in identifying them as soon as possible. Early detection leads to more successful treatment. This, in turn, may contribute to a higher quality of life.