Allergies Can Impact Your Mental Health

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Key TakeawaysMillions of Americans deal with allergy symptoms every year.The impact on mental health is often overlooked, but managing food and seasonal allergies can increase feelings of anxiety and depression.This has only been heightened during the pandemic, as allergy symptoms can be confused with those of COVID-19.

Key Takeaways

Millions of Americans deal with allergy symptoms every year.The impact on mental health is often overlooked, but managing food and seasonal allergies can increase feelings of anxiety and depression.This has only been heightened during the pandemic, as allergy symptoms can be confused with those of COVID-19.

In the United States, more than 50 million people experience allergy symptoms each year. From seasonal to food allergies, symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from a runny nose or tiny rash to more severe and even life-threatening health complications.

It goes without saying that staying vigilant and managing these symptoms can often be stress-inducing and isolating.

In fact, research shows that suffering from allergies is associated with a higher risk of developing mental health conditions.So why isn’t the mental health impact of allergies more often discussed?

The Hidden Impact of Allergies

There’s no shortage of possibilities when it comes to allergies. People suffer allergic reactions to certain plants, materials, drugs, animal hair and dander, environmental factors, and more.

Suffering an allergy attack can be traumatic, and staying on top of what could be potential allergens can get exhausting. The psychological toll of this is great, saysTaish Malone, PhD, a licensed professional counselor withMindpath Health.

“The physical body is in a symbiotic relationship with our mental states which include our thoughts and emotions,” Malone says.

“Many fail to realize that having allergies is a medical condition, which may be why most often underestimate the impact having allergies can have on the sufferer.”

Allergies to food items are among the most commonly experienced—and potentially the most physically dangerous.

Research shows thatanxiety,depression, and evenbullyingare commonly associated with managing a food allergy, especially at a young age—one in three children that have food allergies report being bullied as a result of that allergy.

Purvi Parikh, MDThe same allergens that trigger seasonal allergies can cause asthma and eczema which have data showing high rates of anxiety, depression, and even suicidality.

Purvi Parikh, MD

The same allergens that trigger seasonal allergies can cause asthma and eczema which have data showing high rates of anxiety, depression, and even suicidality.

While allergies may not have a causal relationship with mental health, there is definitely correlation. Malone notes that the higher the severity of an allergy and its symptoms, the greater its impact.

“Suffering with disruptive symptoms that cause repetitive discomfort can lead toself-doubtin some, and even pose as a quality of life stressor and lead to stress response dysfunctions such as anxiety and depression,” she says.

“The same allergens that trigger seasonal allergies can cause asthma and eczema which have data showing high rates of anxiety, depression, and even suicidality,” saysPurvi Parikh, MD, an allergist, immunologist, and national spokesperson for theAllergy & Asthma Network.

What Causes a Sense of Impending Doom?

Allergies in Pandemic Times

On the topic of seasonal allergies, spring and summer can be tough times for allergy sufferers. But allergy season this year may be a bit tougher.

Coughing, sniffling, and breathing issues are common symptoms of allergies, but they’re also symptoms of COVID-19.

Discerning between the two conditions, as Parikh points out, can be stress-inducing. And not only that—displaying any of these symptoms in public has often come to elicit a certain reaction from the people in your vicinity.

“The fear of a populated area could cause feelings of rejection and isolation to avoid the dagger stares or people moving away when someone with allergies begins to show some signs that are misunderstood,” Malone says.

Taish Malone, PhDSuffering with disruptive symptoms that cause repetitive discomfort can pose as a quality of life stressor and lead to stress response dysfunctions such as anxiety and depression.

Taish Malone, PhD

Suffering with disruptive symptoms that cause repetitive discomfort can pose as a quality of life stressor and lead to stress response dysfunctions such as anxiety and depression.

She notes that while it’s totally understandable for people to want to protect themselves from the virus, to someone experiencing allergies, this can feel like social exclusion.

The person may then avoid social situations altogether, and this level of isolation could be detrimental during a time when feelings offearandlonelinessare already running high.

Allergies Can Impact Your Mental Health

How to Relieve Allergy Symptoms

For those finding themselves in that boat at this time, Malone recommends a few methods for overcoming the mental struggles of allergies. Hypnotherapy has shown positive results, for one, she says.

“In the practice of this altered state of consciousness, a hypnotherapist can bridge or mediate between the mind and body using the influence of suggestion,” Malone says.

Acupuncture could be another possible route to relief, she says, as this method is rising in popularity as an alternative to conventional allergy treatments. In fact, research has shown that acupuncture significantly reduced nasal symptoms of allergies.

What This Means For YouThe psychological toll of dealing with allergies is real. If you’re seeking relief, discuss treatment options with your primary care doctor or an allergist.

What This Means For You

The psychological toll of dealing with allergies is real. If you’re seeking relief, discuss treatment options with your primary care doctor or an allergist.

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5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.Tzeng NS, Chang HA, Chung CH, et al.Increased risk of psychiatric disorders in allergic diseases: A nationwide, population-based, cohort study.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:133. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00133Khamsi R.Food allergies: The psychological toll.Nature. 2020;588(7836):S4-S6. doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02778-4Allergy UK.It’s allergy awareness week!.Feng S, Han M, Fan Y, et al.Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2015;29(1):57-62. doi:10.2500/ajra.2015.29.4116

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.Tzeng NS, Chang HA, Chung CH, et al.Increased risk of psychiatric disorders in allergic diseases: A nationwide, population-based, cohort study.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:133. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00133Khamsi R.Food allergies: The psychological toll.Nature. 2020;588(7836):S4-S6. doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02778-4Allergy UK.It’s allergy awareness week!.Feng S, Han M, Fan Y, et al.Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2015;29(1):57-62. doi:10.2500/ajra.2015.29.4116

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.Tzeng NS, Chang HA, Chung CH, et al.Increased risk of psychiatric disorders in allergic diseases: A nationwide, population-based, cohort study.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:133. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00133Khamsi R.Food allergies: The psychological toll.Nature. 2020;588(7836):S4-S6. doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02778-4Allergy UK.It’s allergy awareness week!.Feng S, Han M, Fan Y, et al.Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2015;29(1):57-62. doi:10.2500/ajra.2015.29.4116

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Allergy facts and figures.

Tzeng NS, Chang HA, Chung CH, et al.Increased risk of psychiatric disorders in allergic diseases: A nationwide, population-based, cohort study.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:133. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00133

Khamsi R.Food allergies: The psychological toll.Nature. 2020;588(7836):S4-S6. doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02778-4

Allergy UK.It’s allergy awareness week!.

Feng S, Han M, Fan Y, et al.Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2015;29(1):57-62. doi:10.2500/ajra.2015.29.4116

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