Updated June 2025
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Dealing with anxiety
Dealing with anxiety can be a challenge for many people with allergies, especially if you are at risk of anaphylaxis. Some level of anxiety is normal and it is an important part of staying safe.
There may be times when you need additional support. If you think you or your child are worrying more than you should be, then it is a good idea to seek help. This might be learning some skills to help manage anxiety or talking to your GP or a Psychologist. They can help you to understand the risks and the appropriate level of care that you need to take to stay safe.
We have trained health professionals that you can call on our National Allergy Helpline if you would like to talk to someone who understands allergy. Click here for more information.
After every anaphylaxis it is a good idea to speak to someone to talk through what happened and to feel confident that you can manage any future emergencies. After anaphylaxis is a time when anxiety can be at its worst.
Living with the risk
You can lead a close to normal life, even if you are at risk of anaphylaxis. While many people feel alone, overwhelmed or even angry when they are first diagnosed, remember that help and support is available.
Here are some ideas to help you:
- Get up to date information and support by subscribing to Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia. Subscribe now
- Always carry your medication with you.
- Plan ahead.
- Allow extra time when shopping – always read labels and learn about different ingredient names.
- Talk to those around you about your allergy so they can support you.
- Take safe food with you wherever you go or check safe food will be available.
- Keep up to date with product changes and the latest research.
- Ask questions so you understand.
- Check expiry dates on your adrenaline (epinephrine) injector (such as Anapen®, EpiPen®), practise with a trainer device, read through your Action Plan for Anaphylaxis and have an emergency drill from time to time.
- See your allergy specialist every year or two or as advised.
Discussing risk and reasonable safety strategies with your specialist
Many people do not think to talk with their allergy specialist about the challenges they have around their or their child’s food or insect allergies.
Speaking to your allergist about management challenges and how careful you need to be in various life circumstances is important.
Some people have the right level of care, others are too careful and restrictive while others are not careful enough and therefore at greater risk of things going wrong.
Those with too many restrictions are often controlled by anxiety, and those with too little have a greater chance of severe reactions.
The very normal life experiences you should consider discussing with your allergy specialist include eating out, sleepovers, play dates, parties, dating, airline travel and school camps just to name a few. You may be in a situation where you and your partner disagree on how your child’s risk of anaphylaxis is managed.
Use your appointment to discuss these challenges. It is hard to figure out how much care is reasonable, how much is too much and how much is too little.
The conversation with your allergy specialist may go something like this…
“I won’t let James go on sleepovers or school camps because it is not safe for him, what are your thoughts?” or
“We don’t travel overseas because I am concerned about an anaphyalxis on the plane, what are your thoughts?” or
“Jenny won’t take her EpiPen with her when she goes out with friends, what are your thoughts?”.
These kind of conversations about behaviours that might be too restrictive or too risky are important to have with someone who knows your medical history and understands allergy management well.
Your/your child’s specialist can talk you through real risk and help with a management plan that is reasonable.
Research about anxiety around eating
Children (and teens and adults) who are at risk of anaphylaxis to food often experience anxiety around eating. The right level of anxiety can be protective, but too much anxiety can be crippling and stop the person engaging in normal social situations, such as eating out with friends and attending birthday parties and family functions. A research article shows that psychological therapy can help manage excessive anxiety. If you feel that you or your child may be experiencing excessive anxiety-type behaviours it can be valuable to get help from a psychologist trained in cognitive behaviour therapy. Consider speaking to your GP for a referral to a psychologist.
This research study talks about a Food Allergy Bravery (FAB) clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania—how great would it be to have one of these at each major children’s hospital in Australia?
We love this quote from the author of the study:
‘Our ultimate goal, of course, is for every child with a food allergy to stay safe while living as big a life as they want to’.
This is also what A&AA wants for everyone living with allergy.