Richard F. Lockey, MD, professor of medicine and director, division of allergy and immunology, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa. While researchers can't say that allergies actually cause people to feel depressed, it does appear that allergy sufferers are more vulnerable to depression. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. In 2016, Nanda and her colleagues published a study that found that among 7-year-olds, allergies were indeed associated with depression, anxiety, and symptoms such as … Allergies can affect your performance at work and school, and depending on the severity of symptoms, any type of activity can be physically draining. However, studies are starting to show that allergies may be specifically linked to depression. More recent research also supports the allergy-depression connection. My Doctor Prescribed Daily HIIT Exercises for My Depression. Sometimes, a lower dose can stop side effects, while continuing to provide allergy relief. Allergies have no effect on anxiety, but anxiety makes allergies … Continued. And studies say that allergies make a person 50% more likely to have depressive symptoms. Allergies could make symptoms even worse in a person with clinical depression, experts say. Yes, research has shown that some allergies can cause depression. Recent studies show an association between seasonal allergies and clinical depression. There is a strong link between allergies and depression. Thus, we present an overview of the overlap of allergic rhinitis with depression and suicidal behavior in adults, based on clinical and epidemiological data, and our research and clinical experience. He says allergic rhinitis is known to cause specialized cells in the nose to release cytokines, a kind of inflammatory protein. Can Medicinal Marijuana Treat Depression? You may be surprised to find that your allergies and depression have a direct relationship. There are many types of depression, ranging from a somewhat negative outlook, through to full-blown major depression. Symptoms of SAD include brain fog, anxiety, irritability, overeating, difficulty concentrating, and depression all of which are thought to occur because of the reduction in daylight. âYou still treat depression as you normally would and treat allergies as you normally would,â says Marshall. © 2005 - 2021 WebMD LLC. Some people find it helpful to have the therapy for a few weeks or months and focus on key issues; while for others, long term therapy is more beneficial. While…. Usually, people tend to have a more positive mood in summer, he says. Whatâs going on? These 5 Go-To Recipes Will Comfort You. A new study finds a link between different forms of allergies and either anxiety or depression. Allergies do not cause anxiety, but make anxiety worse. Allergy sufferers who say symptoms like sneezing, sniffling, and red, itchy eyes make them miserable may not be exaggerating. Yoga, Running, and Other Workouts Can Combat Depressive Episodes, 7 Signs That It’s Time to Revisit Your Mental Health Treatment Plan, Too Exhausted to Eat? Replace curtains, which collect allergens, with blinds, and stick with easy-to-clean floor coverings like wood or tile rather than rugs or carpeting. Of course, allergies aren’t as serious as some health problems. Seasonal allergies affect over 36 million Americans and they aren’t just an annoying physical issue, we now know that there is a true link with allergies and depression. Large-scale population studies suggest that allergy sufferers are roughly twice as likely to have depression as people without allergies. Many people live with seasonal and year-long allergies. ", which explores recent research and the views of many scientists who believe that depression is increasingly a result inflammation caused by the body's immune system. If not, speak with your doctor about treatment. When we understand the relationship between these issues, we can treat conditions more effectively. Keep windows closed and the air conditioner on. All rights reserved. Richard W. Honsinger, MD, clinical professor of internal medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque. Allergies and Depression. Hi! Allergy symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, a sore throat, and a headache. While some people with allergies can go about their normal daily routine in only slight discomfort, others might feel physically ill. Allergies could make symptoms even worse in a person with clinical depression, experts say. If you suspect a food allergy, ask your doctor about a skin test or a blood test to help pinpoint the foods that trigger your symptoms. In one such study, adults with allergic rhinitis (hay fever) were twice as likely to have been diagnosed with major depression in the previous 12 months. Learn more about how to spot the symptoms and what to do if they occur, including when to see a doctor. Sip water or hot liquids to thin mucus in your throat. On the other hand, experiencing more bad days than good could eventually affect your outlook — and not for the better. Thereâs âno evidence that there is a causality between allergic rhinitis and depression,â says Richard F. Lockey, MD, professor of medicine and director of the division of allergy and immunology at the University if South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa. The study involving 1,300 Australian teenagers also found that whereas mothers of more than 46 percent of the teens reported these problems, nearly 14 percent divulged details of their […] Teodor T. Postolache, MD, associate professor of psychiatry and director, mood and anxiety program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore. Make sure you’re aware of possible side effects of over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications. No matter what the exact nature of allergy-depression connection, just knowing about it may help you. Luckily…. Animal and human studies alike suggest that cytokines can affect brain function, triggering sadness, malaise, poor concentration, and increased sleepiness. Postolache, T.Molecular Psychiatry, October 2005; pp 232-238. Certain allergies cause changes to the brain and body, which internally cause anxiety. Eat more leafy greens, berries, and nuts. Whatâs more, it can be reassuring to know that getting allergy symptoms under control may bring a welcome lift to a depressed mood. Future research, however, must verify these associations. If you use a dehumidifier, clean it frequently to keep it from becoming a source of mold. Turns out, a recent study covered by Medical News Today found a “positive association between anxiety and seasonal allergies” and explained a potential reason for my odd behaviour. And when allergies prove especially severe or persistent, allergy shots (immunotherapy) are 90% effective over time. Can treating your allergies help your depression or anxiety? This is why I recommended that Rachel ask her MD or to test her blood levels of Vit D, B12 and iron (ferritin). Feeling under the weather for one or two days might not dampen your overall mood. Wear a mask when cleaning the house or working in the yard. Although allergies haven’t proved to result in clinical depression, they definitely have an affect on a person’s mood and well-being. He also states that allergies are often overlooked by psychotherapists as a cause of depression.This does not surprise me as psychotherapists are not physicians and would not have the medical training to alert them to allergies as a cause of depression. In a 2002 study, a team of scientists led by Marshall found that people with hay fever experienced more sadness, apathy, lethargy, and fatigue in late summer, when ragweed season peaks. Allergies and depression should be treated separately. Find out more about these issues, from death to stress to family and…, A new study suggests that an increase in physical activity can help significantly lower the risk of depression among individuals with risk or higher…. But how can you tell if it's normal — or something more? All rights reserved. by Jude (U.S.A.) me. In fact, in one study, 70 percent of patients with depression had a history of allergies! In fact, included among the causes of clinical depression are stressful events and illness. Nor should allergy suffers turn away from proven treatments for allergies. Marshall, P. Psychosomatic Medicine, July/August 2002; vol 64: pp 684-691. Anyone who lives with chronic, persistent allergies may attest to feeling bad most days of the week or month. Common allergens include pollen, dust mites, animal dander, and the molds that grow in soil and inside homes. Avoid scented products (candles, lotions, perfumes, and so on). There is clear evidence that allergies can interfere with sleep, and sleep problems have been linked to poor concentration and depression. There are many types of depression, ranging from a somewhat negative outlook, through to full-blown major depression. Keep doors and windows closed to reduce exposure to outdoor allergens. There are many types of depression, ranging from a somewhat negative outlook, through to full-blown major depression. “It’s important for people to understand that experiencing allergies can affect their mood,” Marshall said. Are allergies and depression or anxiety related? Science is linking both allergies and asthma to depression. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, How to Exercise Outside When You Have Allergies, Stress Relief Strategies to Ease Allergy Symptoms, Stay indoors when pollen counts are high. I am a 41 yr. old woman with 40 airborne allergies and major clinical depression. A person suffering from allergies is surely known to feel bad for many days in a month or the week. Learn more about medical marijuana as a possible…, Are you sneezing or coughing? A recent survey by the National Eczema Association found that more than 30% of eczema sufferers have been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety. Depression is one possible symptom of allergies and food intolerances. Can treating allergies make you feel worse? That’s because they often appear completely fine on the outside. Sweetened Drinks Linked to Depression, Coffee Tied to Lower Risk." Sound familiar? Mild depression and anxiety can resolve on its own. Food allergies and intolerances also impact the digestion of foods and absorption of nutrients. Hurwitz, E. American Journal of Epidemiology, November 15, 1999; vol 150: pp 1107-1116. More states are legalizing medical marijuana, but what does that mean for people with depression? The levels came back at the within what an MD will consider to be the ‘normal’ … Paul S. Marshall, PhD, clinical neuropsychologist, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis. That’s not to say that all people with allergies have depression or that all people with depression have allergies. These symptoms range from mild to severe. The study didn’t find a link between depression and food allergies. If you have depression and anxiety along with allergies, you might think the former conditions have nothing to do with the latter. The Utah Department of Health has just released the details of a study into a link between depression and the allergic condition, asthma. Because different people can experience an allergy to the same trigger in different ways, it is impossible to say that a specific type of depression characterizes an allergy… Allergy symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, a sore throat, and a headache. While psychotropic medications may affect diagnosis of allergies, medications used to treat allergies impact mood and behavior. Perpetual suffering from allergies or any other ailment is bound to get a person down and can lead to feelings of depression and mood swings. Allergies, which also peak in the spring and fall, have been linked to depression. The knowledge that allergy to foods and chemicals can adversely affect moods and behaviour in susceptible individuals has been known for a very long time. âMost people who have allergies donât have depression, and most people who are depressed donât have allergies,â says Paul S. Marshall, PhD, a clinical neurophysiologist in the department of psychiatry at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. I don’t want to, but people are constantly demanding that I go into that field. There are various ways to have this therapy. Wash bedding frequently in water thatâs at least 130 F to kill. Avoid your allergy triggers and take over-the-counter or prescription allergy medication to keep symptoms at bay. Allergic rhinitis releases cytokines, a type of inflammatory protein. When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isn't. From yet another angle, it could be that the allergic phenomena are responsible for both the nasal allergy symptoms and mood problems. Whether your anxiety is particularly bad, or your stress levels are through the roof, finding the energy to eat can sometimes feel like too much to…. People seek help from professional psychologists for many different challenges. And there’s another theory has been lurking in the background for quite awhile, but is finally gaining the trust and attention of the public: that depression is an allergic reaction to inflammation.