Mental Health and Living with Food Allergies

Mental Health and Well-Being of Living with Food Allergy

Here’s what research tells us about living with food allergies and the balance between fear and quality of life:

Children

Children with food allergy do not have higher rates of anxiety disorders than those without food allergy. But children with food allergy do experience higher levels of distress and worry about food allergy. They may also have anxiety about allergy safety when not with their parents.

Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) may occur after anaphylaxis. They may also occur when the stress of an unpredictable exposure to food allergens is too great.

Parental anxiety and a child’s attitude toward food allergies may function as risk and resilience factors.

It’s helpful for parents to be mindful of the messages they convey about food allergies. Are you:

• modeling anxious behavior?

• restricting my child’s ability to explore situations independently (beyond what is necessary)?

Teens

Transitions to adolescence can be difficult due to developmental changes. These changes may include:

• increased independence
• peer pressure
• potential risk-taking behaviors

Each of these changes can cause parents to worry more about their teen’s food allergy safety. Meantime, teens tend to internalize stress. Their perception of how food allergy affects their life can differ from parents.

Adolescents and teens 10-16 years old with food allergy are more likely to have symptoms of generalized anxiety. They may also have separation anxiety, anorexia nervosa, and depression. Adolescents with food allergies report lower self-esteem.

Adults

Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States believe they have a food allergy. However, only 1 in 20 are estimated to have a diagnosed food allergy. This suggests many adults may be engaging in unnecessary avoidance behavior.

In addition, many adults with food allergy who are at high risk of anaphylaxis do not have an epinephrine prescription.

Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents/Caregivers and Families

Parents often experience food allergy anxiety, general anxiety, worry, fear, sadness, and depression.

• 92% say they are always or occasionally fearful for their food-allergic child’s safety.
• 75% report fear and anxiety for their family.
• 25% report that food allergy causes strain on their marriage.

The stress particularly affects mothers. They are often managing the day-to-day aspects of food allergies. They report more anxiety, stress, and impact on their quality of life due to their child’s food allergy.

The severity of a mother’s anxiety, stress and depression is linked to a child’s ability to function and health-related quality of life. Doctors should routinely screen for maternal stress. This can identify children who are at higher risk for psychological distress.

Food Allergy-Specific Anxiety

Anxiety is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences. It often causes people to experience stress and future-focused worrying. Most people consider anxiety to be a negative emotion and try to avoid it as much as possible.

Even though anxiety feels uncomfortable, it can be useful. Anxiety encourages people to plan and prepare. These are key aspects of staying safe with food allergies. When anxiety starts to impact your daily life, that’s when you may feel overwhelmed.

Food allergy-specific anxiety tends to focus on specific phobias and fears. These often include:

• needle phobia
• allergen safety
• eating out
• traveling
• allergic reactions and anaphylaxis
• using epinephrine
• rejection
• humiliation
• exclusion
• bullying
• death

Mental health therapy can benefit people with food allergy anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may be particularly helpful. It involves safe exposures to stress situations to reduce anxiety and increase confidence.

Children and adolescents who manage multiple anxiety disorders and medical conditions at the same time are at higher risk of mental health problems in adulthood. They may also have poorer health outcomes and more limitations in social activities.

Managing the Stress of Food Allergy

It’s normal to experience stress when managing a food allergy. It’s especially prevalent…

• during the months after a food allergy diagnosis;
• after a food-allergic reaction;
• any time you or your child enters a new age and stage of development.

What is stress and how does it feel?

The American Psychological Association shares the following about stress:

• Stress is a normal reaction to everyday pressures. Stress can become unhealthy when it upsets your day-to-day functioning.
• Stress involves changes affecting almost every system of the body. It can influence how people feel and behave.

This means that when you experience stress, you may notice that emotions feel more intense. Others may notice that you seem more irritable, angry, impatient, tired, or overwhelmed.

You may notice uncomfortable physical sensations. These sensations may include:

• upset stomach
• low energy
• aches
• muscle tension
• rapid heartbeat
• sweaty hands

You might notice having racing thoughts, constant worry, poor concentration and a negative attitude about life. This may lead to not engaging in good self-care. It may lead to procrastination on work or school assignments.

When to Talk with a Mental Health Professional

Reach out to an allergy-informed mental health professional when…

• You are newly diagnosed and want to learn how to manage food allergy anxiety.
• You are not able to adjust well to life with food allergies.
• Living with or worrying about food allergies impacts your daily functioning.
• Food allergy-related anxiety is keeping you from enjoying things.
• Your anxiety levels aren’t decreasing months after an allergic reaction.
• Fear and worry interfere with your sleep and eating patterns.
• You engage in avoidance and restrictions beyond what is necessary.
• You have thoughts of harming yourself or others.

How to find a therapist who can offer guidance on food allergy? Visit The Food Allergy Counselor Directory. You can also locate a mental health professional by:

• asking your allergist for a referral
• checking with your local food allergy support group
• using the American Psychological Association’s Psychologist Finder
• using the Anxiety and Depression Association of America’s Therapist Finder