Re: depression/anxiety/panic--vitamin deficiency

Thanks so much to both of you for your help! I have been in therapy for about 4 years now actually. My first therapist, whom I saw for about 2 1/2 years, was a psychoanalyst, and he helped me identify what's causing my problems, and all that kind of stuff. He helped me to recognize that I'm not a bad person, that I deserve happiness, and those sorts of things (even though I'm still struggling SO MUCH with them! At least I'm more aware now).

He retired, and recommended another therapist, who's a cognitive behaviorist (I think that's the right term). He's trying to help me to "help myself," identify negative thought patterns, and eventually get to the point where I don't need therapy, but I actually feel much less satisfied when I leave him than I did when I would leave sessions with my first therapist. Anyway, I'm still working very hard in therapy, and it helps, but I wonder how much is in my "head" and how much is in my "body" (ie: how much is learned behavior, and how much is physiological).

I'm actually taking Wellbutrin right now. Somehow I forgot to mention it. It's not an MAOI inhibitor I don't think. It is an antidepressant though. It's actually the same thing as Zyban, just a different name. I've been on it for about 3 years (sometimes I go off of it for no particular reason, but when I start feeling horribly depressed, I get back on it). I don't know how much of a factor the Wellbutrin is playing in all this. It's never caused me any noticeable side-effects, but I would like to find a natural alternative. Throwing that into the mix kind of complicates things I guess.

I am taking B-12, I don't know if I mentioned that. My multi vitamin has folic acid in it as well. I guess I'll just keep on trying. I'm planning on switching to a mostly raw diet, so I really hope that will help. Also, I'll definitely try the aromatherapy! I have sweet orange oil here, but would it matter if it was just some cheap stuff?

Thanks again you guys for your comments. Any further suggestions or thoughts would be gladly welcomed!!!