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StormVixen
July 28th, 2011, 02:22 PM
I have been dealing with bouts of severe depression for as long as I can remember and I know there is a link between depression and slow growth...

Really I would just like to know if there is any way I can counter attack the effects of depression on my hair...

I've been at 31inches for the past year or so (and thats when its pulled straight) I'm really aiming for Hip length... Im starting to loose hope...

sorry for the disjointedness of my writing... my mind doesn't seem to be functioning properly...

Cainwen
July 28th, 2011, 02:27 PM
I'm afraid I have no advice for you hair, but just wanted to say hang in there. I hope things get better for you soon :grouphug:

Redbeetle36
July 28th, 2011, 02:37 PM
I'm currently taking Fluoxetine and I'm making sure that I eat really well, drink lots of water, take vitamin & iron supplements, drink redbush tea & also spray it directly onto my hair and also try and run regularly (good for releasing those happy hormones!). I can honestly say my hair has grown faster in this last couple of months than it has in ages. I hope that helps some...

Cowgirl16
July 28th, 2011, 02:37 PM
I have gone through bouts of depression myself; :grouphug: I was told at one time to take b-complex vitamins, I found a "stress" formula in the health food stores that has a lot of the B vitamins. Also taking antidepressants can help to keep you balanced. I wish you the best :flower:

StormVixen
July 28th, 2011, 02:51 PM
awww thanks :)

I've just been put on Mirtazapine (been on various ADs before but the side effects always end up making me feel worse, hopefully this doesn't)

I will try to remember my supplements too a super multi vitamin mineral, super B vits, and omega oils... I've heard something about amino acids helping... anyone know?

I cant run (bad knees) but have just been given a rowimg machine and I love walking when i can motivate myself to go out...

umm.... i do drink lots of water/squash/juice but I also love coffee which i guess might me making me pass too much fluid too quickly...

thanks again xx

kitten1986
July 28th, 2011, 02:51 PM
It could be a good idea to go and see the doctor treating you for your depression and talk to them... it could be a side effect of your medication, or perhaps you arent eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, exercise etc which are all common for people suffering depression.
Sounds like you are starting to focus on your hair growth negatively, and this could also increase the severity of your depressive episode too so it is probably best if you address it as soon as possible.
Hang in there, talk to your doctor about your worries, they can do a lot more for you than you might think :D I wish you a swift recovery :)

Amber_Maiden
July 28th, 2011, 02:52 PM
When I was depressed I remember my hair shedding a lot... I kind of stop eating when I was depressed, so I think it was linked to my health. Could the same be happening with you???

StormVixen
July 28th, 2011, 03:09 PM
Hmmm... to be honest my sleep and diet are all over the place sometimes too much sometimes not enough... i try to eat healthy meals but i do find myself bingeing on chocolate, fizzy drinks, flamin' hot monster munch (mmmmm) and cheese... :cheese:

this new medication is supposed to help me get to sleep (which it does) but it has a side effect which causes weird vivid dreams, so my quality of sleep might be affected i guess... also its been hot recently and i sleep really badly when its hot... umm...

I have an appointment next week with GP to discuss new meds and stuff... my hair seems pretty trivial compared to the dark dark thoughts ive been having recently so im kinda reluctent to mention it to dr (I've had loads of bloods done the only abnormality is raised testosterone) which reminds me, I also probably have PCOS... yay for me...

Madora
July 28th, 2011, 03:16 PM
I'm sorry to read that you are going thru a bad time with depression. I had a 6 month spell of it several years ago and binged on chocolate too!

My only suggestions would be:

1) try gentle scalp massages with your finger pads

2) perhaps light therapy might help? Years ago friends at work told me about this and I went out and purchased a lamp with a special globe that mimicked natural sunlight. It was wonderful.

3) Bach "RESCUE REMEDY". Completely homeopathic and has been on the market for decades. Helps relieve stress. Just put a few drops in your tea or coffee..or food. Does take time to work..but it helps!

archel
July 28th, 2011, 03:35 PM
If you're able, get a complete blood workup done with your doctor. Thyroid problems can cause depression and also affect hair growth, but there are other factors that could be at play as well.

ddiana1979
July 28th, 2011, 04:35 PM
I have Major Depressive Disorder as well. I do have slow growth, but I never really considered that it might be due to depression. Hmmm.

I like Madora's suggestion on the light therapy. I have a HappyLite, and it really does help, when used in conjunction with my meds & an overall healthy lifestyle (I try, anyway).

Also walking or swimming (in an outdoor pool) in the morning if it's not too cold. Getting sunlight early in the morning is really good for your Vit D levels (which if low can contribute to depression) and your general well being.

PCOS is also linked to depression, so maybe if they can get that under control, your mood will also improve?

Best wishes to you! I know it can be quite a struggle.

pepperminttea
July 28th, 2011, 04:46 PM
Getting sunlight early in the morning is really good for your Vit D levels (which if low can contribute to depression) and your general well being.

Agreed. I don't know about you OP, but when I go through spells of depression my sleep tends to get messed up, and I hide away inside, the combination of which means I don't see a lot of daylight. In the winter especially, with the days so short, I'll often get into a cycle of waking up at dusk and going to bed at dawn, not seeing sunlight for weeks on end. Sometimes just a walk round the block, early in the morning before things get busy can clear your head and get your dose of sunshine in. :)

I hope the new meds help. I know it's easier said than done, but keep going. :grouphug:

Dorothy
July 28th, 2011, 05:04 PM
I'd recommend fish oil. It's good for your hair and as good for your depression as many antidepressants, recent studies have shown. 2 capsules a day (the 2 #s on the bottle should add up to 1000) is enough for depression, taken with at least 9 grams of protien (an egg, for example) to help you digest it, it won't process properly w/out the protien. Don't go off your meds, you understand, but you can add the fish oil, which is good for your heart and other things, with no real side effects. Some people get fishy burps, in which case you can try keeping them in the freezer right up until you take them, but if you take them w/food this is generally not a problem. There are also vegan omega 3's - more expensive, but will definately solve fishy burps.

Also, a silk pillowcase - if you're thrashing around at night you want to minimize the friction, plus, it's just a nice thing to do for yourself. Gather together all the little pleasures you can. And I agree with the other gals, 20 min of sun on your face and hands daily (or light therapy), and 20 min of mild walking - or rowing - is enough to help w/your depression. At my mental health center, we also treat prolonged depression with Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which was originally designed to treat Borderline Personality disorder, but has been shown to be effective in studies with depression. If meds continue not to help you, I'd go that route. It's a lot of work, but you don't want to live years of your life like this.

May you be well
May you be happy
May you have acceptance
May you live with ease....

Deborah
July 28th, 2011, 08:01 PM
I don't think there is a connection between depression and the speed of one's hair growth. I have suffered with serious depression, but my hair just kept growing at it's usual fast clip. I wonder if maybe the depression just causes you to feel that your hair is growing slowly, as it can make you feel bad about so many other things.

I pray that you will feel better soon.

Helix
July 28th, 2011, 10:43 PM
I also second many of the aforementioned suggestions esp. the adding of an omega 3 supplement to your diet, and getting enough sunlight.

Just focus on taking care of you. Your health comes first then your hair will follow.

Oh, and here's a video I watch whenever I'm not in the perkiest of moods. By no means is it a cure for depression but it's hard to stay sad after watching it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxwgoPTWty4

Joliebaby
July 29th, 2011, 06:03 AM
EPA fatty acids! Even 2000 mcg per day as a therapeutic dose. Make sure it has a high ratio of EPA to DHA.
Make sure you get enough vit D3. You can take up to 10 000 IU for a wehile as a therapeutic dose and continue with 2000 IU.

Other vits that help are B-complex, zinc picolinate, 5-HTP, and possibly rhodiola rosea and SAM-e.

I've done research :D

I hope you can beat the depression. I was on antidepressants for 15 years and just a few months ago decided that it was time to try my hardest to break the addiction to them.. I am not against antidepressants, but long term use can easily start causing manic episodes.

StormVixen
July 29th, 2011, 06:46 AM
thanks for all the info and well wishes... :D

I will try to be better with my supplement taking, i'll treat them like prescribed meds...
I have been tested for thyroid problems twice, its not that...
Im looking into diets that help PCOS (low GI, Pescetarian)
I'm trying to motivate myself to get out more, I cant do public pools i think their disgusting not to mention full of chemicals, id rather swim in river, lake or the sea but i don't have any near.

umm... i think thats it... thanks :)

pocketsmall
July 29th, 2011, 07:04 AM
When I'm stressed I start shedding hair like crazy, so I don't see why depression couldn't do the same.

sarahbrownie
July 29th, 2011, 08:34 AM
I'm sorry you haven't been feeling well. :flowers: I went through depression and other very destructive behavior I rather not discuss on LHC in high school and I did a complete 180 when I went to therapy. I cannot recommend it enough. Just to have someone to talk to was an amazing experience and she was really a beacon of light for me.

Why don't you try some monistat, maybe boost some growth. It's worked so well for my slow growth patterns, especially during my stressful periods where I get almost no growth a month.


I don't think there is a connection between depression and the speed of one's hair growth. I have suffered with serious depression, but my hair just kept growing at it's usual fast clip. I wonder if maybe the depression just causes you to feel that your hair is growing slowly, as it can make you feel bad about so many other things.

I pray that you will feel better soon.

It's the side effects of depression that causes slow growth. Like not eating, not getting a lot of sun, anxiety, stress, etc. Those things cause slow growth.

StormVixen
August 1st, 2011, 07:47 AM
thats for all the help and support... I had a surprise Reiki session in Glastonbury on saturday wich was awesome and really taught me some interesting things about myself... but then my dad brought me right back down again on sunday by basically calling me fat (OK Ive got a bit of a belly but my small boobs make it look bigger than it is!) and basically telling me to get over it... he really does get to me!

anyway...

i thought i would tell u guys supplements i'm taking...

Mega Vita-Min (http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=160&prodid=174&cid=39&sid=0)

B-100 (http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=107&prodid=395&cid=212&sid=0)

Biotin 1000 (http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=348&prodid=17&cid=212&sid=0) (2 daily)

Silica Complex (http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=71&prodid=45&cid=179&sid=0)

Sea Kelp (http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=35&prodid=231&cid=160&sid=0) (2 daily)

Flaxseed Oil 1000mg (http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=67&prodid=473&cid=20&sid=0)

Evening Primrose and Star Flower Oil (http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=210&prodid=377&cid=18&sid=0)

I take one a day apart from the Kelp and Biotin... I will try to take them every day from now on so hopefully I will see some improvement :D

ETA: Oh and to cheer myself and my hair up I splurged on some hair products from The Curly Emporium (http://www.britishcurlies.co.uk/store/) this is what I got: CURLS Coconut Sublime Conditioner, CURLS Milkshake, Jessicurl Confident Coils Styling Solution, Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treatment, Jessicurl Gelebration Spray... :)

Panth
August 2nd, 2011, 04:17 AM
Honestly? Try not to worry about your hair; try to look after yourself. Antidepressants can be helpful to get you off rock bottom but I am of the opinion that they do not make a person truely well, except maybe in the mildest of cases of depression.

From personal experience, I suggest counselling. You need to treat the depression, not the hair loss.

(But, as an aside, have you had your iron levels and B-vitamin levels checked? Deficiency in both/either can cause depression and can certainly cause hair loss).

StormVixen
August 2nd, 2011, 04:35 AM
hey Panth, thanks for your reply :)
It's easy to say "try not to worry about your hair" but as you probably know its easier said than done... I am seeing a specialist for my depression this week so I'm hoping to get somewhere at last (I have had depression on and off for more than 10 years and I have NOT ONCE been referred to a specilist!) I don't believe in anti-depressants either, every time i've taken them i've ended up feeling worse because of the side effects (the ones i'm taking now though seem to not have any bad affects, tho i don't really feel any better yet either.). I have had LOADS of blood tests the only thing that was abnormal was high testosterone, and as you will see In my post at the bottom of page 2 I think I am going a bit OTT with the supplement taking :D oh and i've been put on the combined pill to help lower the testosterone and I am drinking lots of spearmint tea as I read that studies have shown that it also helps lower teststerone....

fashionaddict
August 2nd, 2011, 06:19 AM
Hello!

It is good you are going to see a specialist and that you have meds to help you, but from personal experience I would recommend you find any workout that you love doing and stick with it. :)Running was great for a while but it really made my knees hurt. At one point I started dancing and that has seen me through a lot of tough times. Happy hormones all the way!:happydance:

Panth
August 3rd, 2011, 02:05 PM
hey Panth, thanks for your reply :)
It's easy to say "try not to worry about your hair" but as you probably know its easier said than done... I am seeing a specialist for my depression this week so I'm hoping to get somewhere at last (I have had depression on and off for more than 10 years and I have NOT ONCE been referred to a specilist!) I don't believe in anti-depressants either, every time i've taken them i've ended up feeling worse because of the side effects (the ones i'm taking now though seem to not have any bad affects, tho i don't really feel any better yet either.). I have had LOADS of blood tests the only thing that was abnormal was high testosterone, and as you will see In my post at the bottom of page 2 I think I am going a bit OTT with the supplement taking :D oh and i've been put on the combined pill to help lower the testosterone and I am drinking lots of spearmint tea as I read that studies have shown that it also helps lower teststerone....

*hugs* I hope the specialist will be able to help you.

As for the supplements, I urge you to read this blog post: http://igorsbelltower.blogspot.com/2011/02/infamous-biotin-rant.html. Even if you don't agree with it, it is best to be informed of the potential risks. You certainly don't need any more problems on your plate.

StormVixen
August 4th, 2011, 06:03 AM
~I have read that a couple of days ago so now only taking 1 of the biotin pills

Avital88
August 4th, 2011, 06:15 AM
hmm do you really mean the depression affecting the growth or the medication for depression?
I used to be depressed for years and i never noticed any slow growth but since im not depressed anymore(hopefully for a long time) i do notice fast growth so it might be true. i never took medication though.
All the best to you! and hopefully you will meet your goal soon.

StormVixen
August 4th, 2011, 07:37 AM
I'm talking about the actual depression affecting the growth... i've only been taking the meds a couple of weeks and i haven't noticed effect from them on my hair...

I think i just haven't been looking after myself as a whole properly due to the depression so thats why my hair hasn't grown much...

I'm trying to eat better and do some excersize but I'm finding it so hard to even do things i enjoy doing.. ahh well... I'm seeing specialist tomorrow.

Avital88
August 4th, 2011, 08:01 AM
I'm talking about the actual depression affecting the growth... i've only been taking the meds a couple of weeks and i haven't noticed effect from them on my hair...

I think i just haven't been looking after myself as a whole properly due to the depression so thats why my hair hasn't grown much...

I'm trying to eat better and do some excersize but I'm finding it so hard to even do things i enjoy doing.. ahh well... I'm seeing specialist tomorrow.

Ok, try taking multivitamins and take good care, if you want to talk you can always pm me.
I know what its like to be down there :hugs:

summergame
August 2nd, 2016, 12:19 PM
I am in a depression too and I must say that my hair is growing slow too. Happy that I could stop one of my 2 meds against depression because it is so bad for the body and I feel no difference now. Hope you are better now, it's been a few years that this post is made so I don't know if you are still active on this board.

veex
August 2nd, 2016, 08:18 PM
I felt some depression after cutting my hair after a year of growth but only last a few days. Best of luck to u.

Frankenstein
August 2nd, 2016, 11:28 PM
A long time ago, I went through a very depressed period that lasted for about two years. During that time, it seemed like my hair hardly grew at all.