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Wow, this really hit home, as I am sick with some sort of flu that my middle schooler brought home with him. I was just hearing about vitamin D supplements from my step-dad and how they believe it helps with the flu and swine flu. I just took more of my daily multi-vitamin, which I normally take 2 per day. I know this time change is not helping my mood either, and the sun is already so weak I can feel the SAD coming. I want to fight it all with every ounce of my being, but being sick can sure kick out any vitality I had... thanks for this reminder :)
Hey Deborah!
I am going to look into the Vitamin D...been hearing so much about it lately.
It is a strange thing with my immune system and my MS...I rarely get sick-sick. I will start off with some cold or flu symptoms but they quickly go away. My son who has autism is the same way.
Hope you survive these winter months coming.
Always good to see you...thank you for another great post.
I Find that my depression worsens and I can't really figure out why just before I come down with the flu or a cold. I am just recovering from the flu now and for the last 3 days gave myself permission to sleep as much as my body needed, drink juice and try to read a magazine or two--all things I seem to think of as not productive enough in fighting my depression....interesting....maybe my body is trying to tell me it is not always about the daily fight to get and keep well. Sometimes crossing things off the to do list every day is an accomplishment but some days are just days when you have to give in --not necessarily to depression but to illness in general and take care of the physical an mental you with rest and light activity.
I completely agree with you Deborah! I've noticed that when I was sick depression was right around the corner. Even when I'd been feeling fine right before. Like you suggested I started taking vitamin D and other vitamins as well. I learned that a good diet and regular exercise not only keep you fit, but also help with your mood. A better immune system leads to a better mood! Keep on posting!
p.s This internet site gave some really good tips, maybe it can help others as well.
http://www.depression-help-treatment.com/depression-diet.html
Thank you for your informative post. I just got over an illness but found that my depressive symptoms have returned. I did not think to associate the depression with the illness. Being able to associate the depression with the illness makes the depression easier to bear. When depressed my internal mantra is "you have been here before and always got better."
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Thanks, Deborah, for this article - I could really identify with it. I don't get sick very often, but when I do, it's very easy for the depression to kick in. I've heard more and more lately about Vitamin D and I've been taking more than 1,000 mg. a day for quite a while now. I used to smoke and I'd get sinus infections, bronchitis, you name it, several times a year. I haven't had a case of either since I quit 16 years ago. Because of having gastric bypass surgery, I'm on two multivitamins a day, plus the extra Vitamin D and a B-12 injection once a month and I'm healthy as a horse! I still get depressive episodes, though - exercise doesn't even help. Your post is a good reminder to all of us about how having an illness makes us vulnerable to depression that will hopefully pass before too long.