Suffering From OCD, Grief and Anxiety
I suffer from stressful ocd and grief and depression and I'm taking natural remedies to help feel better, including St. John's Wort and ashwaghanda and Bach Flower Rescue Remedy and they help and I would feel worse if I wasn't taking them. I do tai chi and yoga and watch my favorite comedies, but I'm having a very hard time. I stare at many things, including remedy labels and I have moments when I stare a bit less, but my anxiety makes it much worse. I also go back to a website I looked at because I feel anxious and distressed because I thought I forgot what it said and need to read it again just to be sure. I've been crying a lot. I pray and meditate and it helps and I say the Serenity Prayer. I rest and I stay hydrated. I'm caffeine free and holistic clean natural Ayurveda is my healing wellness go-to. I wish I could stop. I'd like to chat with someone who is like minded and understands how I feel.
California
07/20/2026
Hi WholeEarthMama,
I don't think this is quite what you were asking for, but I would like to suggest that you have your iron level tested. The test is called an iron panel. If you are deficient, you can experience the effects you have described. It is a simple blood draw test. It might be helpful for you to read about the multitude of symptoms across the body caused by iron deficiency in order to see if you have other symptoms beyond what you mentioned in your post. Here is such information :
Iron deficiency is best known for causing physical fatigue and anemia, but iron is also essential for the brain. The brain has a very high iron demand because iron is involved in dopamine production, mitochondrial energy generation, myelin formation, neurotransmitter regulation, and oxygen delivery. Cognitive and mental effects can occur even before full iron-deficiency anemia develops.
Cognitive effects associated with iron deficiency
1. Reduced attention and concentration
- Difficulty focusing
- Shorter attention span
- More easily distracted
- Feeling mentally “foggy”
- Reduced ability to multitask
Iron is needed for dopamine signaling in the prefrontal cortex, a region important for attention and executive function.
2. Memory problems
- Trouble recalling information
- Slower learning
- Reduced working memory (holding and manipulating information temporarily)
- Feeling like information “doesn't stick”
3. Slower processing speed
- Taking longer to think through problems
- Slower reaction times
- Reduced mental flexibility
4. Executive function impairment
Possible difficulties with:
- Planning
- Organization
- Decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Mental stamina
Mood and emotional effects
5. Depression-like symptoms
Iron deficiency has been associated with:
- Low motivation
- Reduced pleasure or interest
- Low mood
- Fatigue-related withdrawal
One reason may be reduced dopamine and serotonin activity.
6. Anxiety and irritability
Some people report:
- Increased nervousness
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Lower stress tolerance
7. Sleep disturbances
Iron deficiency is strongly linked with:
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
- Poor sleep quality
- Frequent nighttime awakenings
Low brain iron affects dopamine pathways involved in movement control and sleep regulation.
Neurological effects
8. Restless legs syndrome
This is one of the strongest neurological associations with low iron stores. Symptoms include:
- Urge to move the legs
- Creeping/crawling sensations
- Worse symptoms at night
Brain iron deficiency can impair dopamine signaling even when blood hemoglobin is normal.
9. Reduced dopamine function
Iron is required for tyrosine hydroxylase, the enzyme that converts tyrosine into L-DOPA, the precursor to dopamine.
Low iron may contribute to:
- Reduced motivation
- Lower energy
- Movement-related symptoms
- Cognitive slowing
This is particularly interesting in relation to Parkinson's disease because dopamine biology and iron metabolism are tightly connected, although iron deficiency is not considered a cause of Parkinson's disease.
In older adults
Iron deficiency may contribute to:
- Faster cognitive decline
- Increased fatigue
- Reduced physical activity (which itself can worsen cognition)
- Lower resilience to illness
However, in older adults, excess brain iron accumulation (rather than deficiency) is also associated with neurodegenerative diseases, so iron balance is important—not simply “more iron is better.”
Laboratory markers often considered
A person can have symptoms with low iron stores before anemia appears. Common markers:
| Marker | Often concerning when low |
|---|---|
| Ferritin | Indicates iron storage; many clinicians consider <30 ng/mL suggestive of deficiency |
| Transferrin saturation | Low values suggest insufficient available iron |
| Hemoglobin | Falls later when anemia develops |
| MCV/MCH | May change with iron-deficiency anemia |
(Some experts argue that ferritin below ~50 ng/mL may be relevant in conditions like restless legs.)
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Art
USA
07/20/2026
Dear: WholeEarthMama
I think your best bet of what your dealing with is an acupuncturist. Can calm OCD and grief and relieve depression. Don't know your health but the gut brain axis plays a role in these issue. Maybe a leaky gut protocol but at least probiotics. If you want to try yourself go to yinyanghouse.com and look at Auricular Therapy. You may have to do PTSD protocol for grief. Buy on Amazon an Auricular kit with probe and seeds. Take Methylated multivitamin/min. If your taking Ashwaghanda for a few months. Your Anxiety is probably coming from Kidney/Bladder or Heart. Acupuncture can help.
https://www.healthprofs.com/us/acupuncturists/texas?category=auricular-acupuncture
