I'm on the south side of the Zurich area but willing to travel. Been dealing with depression for a long time and once again heading in to the dark winter behind the eight ball. Wanting to try meds for the first time, so that's why there is the specific interest in psychiatrist as as opposed to therapist.
Many thanks for any response. It is appreciated.
Also, if you don't mind me suggesting this, you might want to also consider getting a full blood screen, as I know that a lack of vitamin D as well as some other deficiencies can cause depression. (I was once diagnosed with post-partum depression when it ended up actually being due to low iron). The psychiatrist I saw at the time (English-speaking / based in Uster) first diagnosed me with post-partum, then saw that my iron score was low, gave me some iron infusions, and then I felt like a new person and the depression was gone). I can't remember his name (and admittedly, his English was NOT that great), but if you're interested in finding out his name, please send me a message and I can try to dig it up.
I hope you can find something that helps!
Thank you for taking time to respond. I do have a SAD light and will continue trying to find help here.
Perhaps your regular doctor can give you a referral to him, to keep it covered by insurance.
Here's a study comparing vitamin D supplementation to using a SAD light:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10888476/
The phototherapy group showed no significant change in depression scale measures. Vitamin D status improved in both groups (74% vitamin D group, p < 0.005 and 36% phototherapy group, p < 0.01). Improvement in 25-OH D was significantly associated with improvement in depression scale scores (r2=0.26; p=0.05). Vitamin D may be an important treatment for SAD.
My recommendation is to take 4000IU (or 5000IU, a lot of supplements are this dosage) of vitamin D3 per day combined with 90mcg of vitamin K2 (helps to ensure calcium is deposited in bones rather than soft tissues). Check with your doctor before taking K2 if you're on blood-thinning medication.
Get a vitamin D test (this can be done with your doctor, online, or at many pharmacies now) after 6 months and then yearly (ideally, also get one before you start supplementing so you have a baseline). 150nmol/l is a great level, 200nmol/l and above is too high.