The Emotional Stress of Being a Food Allergy Parent

Are you anxious about your child’s food allergy? You’re not alone.

A 2021 study found that more than 80% of food-allergy parents surveyed say they face “significant worry” about their child’s food allergy. 39% reported moderate to extremely severe anxiety, and 42% met the clinical cut-off for post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Parents whose children have needed an epinephrine auto-injector were seven times more likely to experience PTSS.

👉 Some stressors that food allergy parents experience include:

▫️ Constant worry about your child’s physical safety.

▫️ Having to scrutinize all food items at all times.

▫️ Concerns about your child being bullied or feeling excluded.

▫️ Managing the discomfort of having to communicate your child’s allergy to other people who may not always be receptive. For example: in restaurants, at school, aftercare, or on playdates.

▫️ Advocating for your child’s health at school, from showing a teacher how to use an epinephrine auto-injector, to asking that celebrations not be food-based or be allergen-friendly, to going through the process of getting your child a 504 plan.

▫️ Trusting other people to keep your child safe when you cannot physically be there.

▫️ Helping your child cope with the fear and stress of living with a life-threatening allergy.

👉 Here are a few things you can do to help you cope:

1️⃣ Connect with other parents who understand. Check the comments of our posts and you will find plenty of parents in the same boat as you!

2️⃣ Seek help early. It’s OK to not be OK, but don’t let yourself suffer. Find a therapist who can help you specifically work through trauma and anxiety stemming from food allergies.

3️⃣ Prepare an emergency action plan and have open communication with your kids — both food allergy kids and non-food allergy kids. Knowing that they are prepared can help alleviate some stress.

Source: https://www.romper.com/parenting/anxiety-stress-food-allergy-parent-mental-health-resources