Introduction
Recent research underscores the inadequate psychological support available for individuals coping with food allergies. A study co-led by Aston University highlights the high levels of mental distress among adults with food allergies and caregivers of allergic children, revealing a significant gap in emotional support. According to the study, 66% of adults with food allergies and 75% of caregivers experience significant psychological distress related to their condition.
Despite the widespread mental distress, fewer than 10% of participants in the UK and Canada were assessed for psychological conditions during their regular food allergy appointments. Only one in five participants had accessed psychological support services. The research surveyed 1,329 adults and 1,907 caregivers from over 20 countries, highlighting the global nature of the problem.
Psychological Impact of Food Allergies
The study identified the primary sources of anxiety among adults with food allergies, which included fear of allergic reactions and concerns about managing everyday life with food restrictions. Participants frequently expressed anxiety about avoiding hazardous foods and disruptions to their routines. For caregivers, the greatest stressors were trusting others to manage their child’s allergies and concerns that people may not take the allergy seriously.
Countries like the UK, Australia, and Brazil reported some of the highest levels of distress, but access to mental health services remains limited due to the high cost of treatment. Although the study found little stigma surrounding seeking psychological help, very few participants had received evaluations or referrals to mental health professionals specializing in food allergy-related issues.
Concluding Statement
The researchers call for comprehensive psychological assessments to be integrated into food allergy management, especially to address feelings of anxiety and depression. They stress the need for affordable or free mental health services to improve accessibility to treatment. Additionally, they recommend expanding educational and informational resources to help people better manage the psychological challenges of living with food allergies.
Professor Knibb, one of the study’s lead researchers, explained, “Our research has highlighted a critical lack of psychological support for people living with food allergies. The high cost of mental health services is a significant barrier across all the countries we studied, which underscores the urgent need for accessible and cost-free support options. Through our GAPS (Global Access to Psychological Services) project, we aim to address this gap by developing a digital resource to assist adults and caregivers in managing the emotional toll of food allergies.”
Source: New Food Magazine