This well-researched paper is a comparative analysis of the symptomatic cluster used by the DSM-IV in the establishment of
an Axis I diagnosis of
depression and the psychological symptoms associated with nutritional deficiencies. The writer of this in-depth paper examines numerous published studies and literature between 1995-2004 regarding deficiency symptoms of B1, B2, B3, B6, folate,
magnesium and zinc and compares the findings with the psychological symptoms found in depression. While low self-esteem and suicidal tendencies were not listed in any of the texts, the writer contends that these were in fact substantiated when analyzing the studies detailed in this paper. This paper delves into the findings that prove magnesium and zinc deficiency may be involved in the psychopathology of suicide. Table of Contents: Abstract Introduction Nutritional Deficiencies and Depression Nutrition, Culture and Depression Nutrition and Rule-Out Diagnosis on DSM-IV Axis III Review of Literature Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) Vitamin B3 (Niacin) Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) Magnesium (Mg) Zinc (Zn) Summary References