Today, I want to discuss a topic often misunderstood: food allergies. As a psychologist and food allergy parent, I’ve seen firsthand and secondhand the emotional rollercoaster that comes with managing food allergies. So, let’s dive in together. We debunk some common myths. Explore the psychological impact. And find ways to support those walking this tricky […]
Living with food allergies is a daily balancing act. It includes a lot of vigilance and anxiety. It’s a life filled with label-reading, meticulous meal planning, and emergency preparation. The fear of a severe allergic reaction can be constant. Indeed, it can shadow every meal, snack, and social event. Advocating for you or your child’s […]
Understanding Food Allergies Having food allergies can bring about experiences of anxiety and stress. If you are living with food allergies, you know all too well the unique challenges this brings. We know that there is a link between anxiety and food allergies and that with increased anxiety comes higher stress levels. This isn’t all […]
Yes, it’s frustrating to live with food allergies. No, this is not a personal choice of yours to avoid certain foods. Going to parties, restaurants, and get-togethers can be anxiety-inducing for many reasons. When you live with food allergies, you may be wondering what you’re going to eat and if the food will be safe. […]
Perhaps someone you love has a food allergy. They are severely allergic to nuts or milk and you see how this impacts their life. You witness as they read and re-read each label, ask questions about food preparation, and worry about a reaction. As someone who cares for them, you always make sure when they […]
In my last blog post, I talked about food allergies and anxiety in parents. Along with what healthy vs unhealthy anxiety looks like. In this post, I’m going to talk about my top three ways to manage anxiety as the parent of a kiddo with a food allergy. These three takeaways are to have a […]
As a food allergy parent, there are many valid reasons to have anxiety. Food allergies and anxiety seem to go hand in hand. However, there is a difference between healthy anxiety and unhealthy anxiety. In this first part of my Parent and Food Allergy Anxiety blog series, we will discuss two topics. First, we’re going […]
Group therapy is a treatment in which people with similar conditions or goals learn from, and move toward better mental wellness together. Group therapy is one of the most effective treatments for healing and hope. The group setting provides a sense of community, support, and understanding that can be difficult to find elsewhere. The process […]
In part one of this two-part blog series, we discussed what an oral food challenge is and how you can prepare yourself and your child. Oral food challenges can be very anxiety-provoking for both the child with food allergies and the food allergy parent. Allergists think very carefully before recommending an oral food challenge. They […]
What is an Oral Food Challenge? Oral food challenges are a diagnostic tool that allergists use to test for food allergies. Very simply, the patient consumes some of a potential food allergen under the supervision of a Board Certified Allergist. This allows the allergist to test for food allergies reliably and safely. Blood and skin […]