“A peanut allergy has been found to be associated with a huge psychosocial burden affecting the daily lives of affected individuals,” says a study completed by researchers from the School of Applied Psychology and Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, from University College of Cork; Cork, Ireland.
The food allergy community has always known food anaphylaxis causes psychological stress to those affected. However, few studies have looked at this question in detail. A recent European publication did just that. Through an in-depth online survey, the researchers found nearly 3 in 4 individuals affected by food anaphylaxis had regular and chronic stress and anxiety. Imagine, 75% of food allergy sufferers are so regularly impacted by their disease state that it causes daily anxiety. We encourage you to read the full report linked below.
The Tolerance Induction Program (TIP™) has long understood the risk of psychological stress and food allergies. In 2017, we formalized an algorithm to assess anxiety and stress in our patients on intake. It is important to remember chronic daily anxiety can result in throat tightening, abdominal pain, and shortness of breath-type symptoms, which can sometimes be confused with an allergic reaction. Hence, it is really important to acknowledge and address anxiety early in TIP™.
What is the good news? The same patients we identify as having high anxiety early in TIP are much improved at the end of the program. We have noted a self-reported 75% reduced level of anxiety in this subgroup of patients. TIP remains committed to accepting all food anaphylaxis patients, including those with anxiety. This year, our goal is to build an in-house team dedicated to the psychological aspects of food allergy while patients are in TIP. Look for updates this summer!
Reference:
School of Applied Psychology and Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, from University College of Cork; Cork, Ireland: Peanut Allergy Leads to Huge Psychosocial Burden Among Suffers.