A recent study has revealed that a large majority of people with food allergies, along with caregivers of children suffering from such conditions, experience significant psychological distress. Despite the widespread emotional toll, only about one in five affected people have been assessed or received counselling to address their anxiety, highlighting a gap in psychological support for this population. The study was published in the journal Allergy.
The research, conducted by Rebecca Knibb, a professor of psychology at Aston University in Birmingham, England, emphasizes the urgent need for better mental health services for people dealing with food allergies. "Our research highlights a major unmet need for psychological support for food allergy," Knibb stated. The most significant concern among both people with food allergies and caregivers is the risk of anaphylaxis—a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.
The fear of anaphylaxis, even from small amounts of allergens, often leads to heightened anxiety and stress in daily life. The study, which involved an online survey of over 1,300 adults with food allergies and more than 1,900 caregivers of children with food allergies from over 20 countries, revealed the extent of this psychological burden. About 68 per cent of adults with food allergies reported experiencing psychological distress linked to their condition, while nearly 78 per cent of caregivers reported similar issues.
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