Trans-generational trauma

How many of the following symptoms for iron deficiency do you have?

• Non-Physical Symptoms
• Anxiety
• Cognitive dysfunction
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Lowered attention
• Light-headedness
• Mood swings
• Post-partum depression

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Physical:

• Atrophy or enlargement of the taste buds
• Compromised immune function
• Hair loss
• Koilonychia (Brittle, spoon-shaped nails)
• Leg cramps / heavy legs
• Lowered body temperature
• Mouth sores
• Pale skin complexion
• Palpitations
• Poor thyroid function
• Skin problems
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen tongue
• Restless legs
• Pregnancy complications

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Here are some of the mechanisms behind the above symptoms:

Iron is required for tryptophan hydroxylase activity, this enzyme converts tryptophan to 5HTP, the precursor for serotonin – the chemical brain messenger responsible for our happiness. Therefore with inadequate iron levels, serotonin production will be reduced.

Iron is also needed for tyrosine hydroxylase, this enzyme is essential for the production of dopamine – the chemical brain messenger that is responsible for our drive and motivation.

Iron is essential for the intracellular reception of T3. This reduces the activity of the main thyroid hormone thus lowering metabolism, energy, whilst leading to hair loss and other related factors.

Iron is required to make hemoglobulin. Hemoglobulin helps carry oxygen within the blood to tissues, an integral part of energy production. If iron is low, the body’s ability to produce energy is hindered therefore increasing the likelihood for fatigue. This same mechanism leads to reduced oxygen availability to the brain giving reason as to why headaches are also linked to iron deficiency.

The paling of the skin and inside of the eyelids is due to less hemoglobulin within the blood, as hemoglobulin gives blood its red pigmentation.

Reduced hemoglobulin levels result in less oxygen within the body. As a compensatory mechanism, the body will start to increase breathing and heart rate in hope to get more oxygen, thus leading to a shortness of breath and increased heart palpitations.

The paradigm of depression being a disease/disorder has evolved around the concept that neurotransmitters are primarily the root cause.

Yet, dysregulation in this field could very well be a symptom, coping mechanism and signal from a multitude of different issues ranging from inside, as well as outside of the body (as explained in my previous post).

The association of depression solely being linked to low levels of norepinephrine and serotonin is flawed throughout studies. There are many other variables that can result in this outcome.

Several studies indicate that as few as 25% of depressed patients have low levels of neurotransmitters, while paradoxically, some patients have abnormally high levels of neurotransmitters with no history of them ever being low.

Does the placement of depression into the category of disease/disorder attach a greater overwhelming thought process to the word than if we were to label it as a symptom?

One could argue that generally speaking, symptoms are alleviated with greater ease when compared with the disease.

It is easy to allow our identity to be taken hostage by adopting the ownership of depression and succumb to its depths.

Yet when we shift our thinking to understand that depression does not embody us as individuals, nor does it yield an element involved in modeling our identity, we shift our thoughts to a greater sense of self-empowerment.

We can overcome the ‘depression vs self’ mentality by accepting that depression is an adaptive and protective mechanism from the human body, accompanied with respect for the opportunity it brings forth to gain further insight into what needs nurturing.

I understand this is a challenging and delicate shift to take, yet the perception of the experience is paramount to one’s thoughts.

Could we disempower the shackling chains of emotional paralysis, gain buoyancy in the swamp of thoughts and restore vitality into one’s behaviour when depression is approached in the light of a symptom?

Can we utilise it as foresight with direction to what may require attention and care within our body and how we live?

This paradigm shift allows more of a harmonious level of awareness with the experience of depression and what possibilities it may bring.

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References:

1. Asberg M, et al. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1976
2. Mol Psychiatry. 2010 March
3. Della FP, et al. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2012
4. Della FP, et al. Behav Brain Res. 2012
5. Della FP, et al. Metab Brain Dis. 2013

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Endometriosis is costing women, and Australia, an estimated total of $9.7 billion per year in medical bills and lost productivity, according to new research.
This equates to an average cost of $30,000 per sufferer per year, both personally and to society.

Around 20–40% of this cost sits directly within the health sector:
– Medications
– Doctor visits
– Assisted reproductive technology (e.g. IVF)
– Transport costs to attend appointments

The remaining 60–80% is due to lost productivity, either from absenteeism or presenteeism—being physically present but unable to perform due to severe pain and discomfort.

Reducing pain caused by endometriosis by just 20% could save Australia billions.

This condition affects more than 830,000 women—over 10% of Australia’s female population.

Symptoms vary widely, contributing to the condition being overlooked or misdiagnosed for 7–12 years, with 1 in 5 doctors missing the diagnosis.
At least 50% of patients experience fertility issues.

Given the scale, one would expect significantly more research, education, awareness, investment, and progress in this field.

Yet many men remain unaware of what endometriosis even is.

This is not necessarily the fault of men.
It is a failure of the system to provide adequate education and visibility.

Women are not being treated with the care, respect, or urgency this condition demands.

It’s time things changed.