Vitamin D in schizophrenia and depression – is it all about the sunshine?

This module looks at the role of vitamin D in mental health. Vitamin D deficiency is a global phenomenon and has been associated with a wide range of physical and mental disorders. People with mental disorders, especially those with psychotic disorders, are an at-risk population for this deficiency.

In this module we will:

• discuss the links between vitamin D deficiency and schizophrenia and depression, highlighting the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in these conditions

• summarise the risk factors for vitamin D deficiency

• list the associations with illness aetiology, symptom occurrence and physical illness in schizophrenia and depression

• examine the potential role of vitamin D as a treatment augmentation strategy in schizophrenia and depression.

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