During a time when work cut into my sleep and I faced heavy pressure and stress, I struggled to wake up in the morning, felt nausea, and overreacted to criticism at work with anger or tears.
Not waking up brought guilt, and blaming myself made it a vicious cycle that deepened my struggle.
With a tough job where many around me had depression, I wondered if I had it too. But after some research, I learned anemia can cause similar symptoms. At my family’s suggestion, I saw an internist. A blood test revealed iron-deficiency anemia.
Especially for women, periods can make iron-deficiency anemia more common. Apparently, many have it undiagnosed because standard health check blood tests only check hemoglobin levels, missing it unless detailed tests are done.
I learned iron-deficiency anemia can worsen PMS symptoms before periods, like getting emotional (irritable or teary), which explained a lot and eased my mind.
For me, taking iron supplements for about six months and making dietary changes with more protein gradually improved my symptoms.
At first, with little progress, I got worried and checked with the doctor. They said it’s not a quick fix—steady iron intake and diet adjustments were key. I stuck with it and finally saw improvement after six months.
Now, I keep up with over-the-counter iron supplements, iron-rich foods, and as much protein as I can.
So far, the symptoms haven’t come back.
※本記事は個人のうつ病体験談です。体験内容はあくまで個人の体験であり、医療アドバイスではありません。専門的なアドバイスを希望する場合は医師へ相談を。
※This article is a personal depression story. The content is solely based on personal experience and is not medical advice. Consult a doctor for professional advice.