Is There A Connection Between Allergies & Mental Health?

If you suffer from allergies, asthma, or hay fever, researchers believe you can be at a higher risk of being diagnosed with a mental health disorder. While there are statistics to prove them right, they are unsure if those figures can imply a direct connection.

Finding the Missing Link

Researchers are still looking for the link between mental illnesses and allergies. They know that people with allergies are more likely to be diagnosed with mental illnesses, but they are unsure why. In particular, asthma and hay fever have been linked to schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder while people with atopic dermatitis (AD) are more likely to have depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety. Research also shows that people with seasonal allergies are more likely to have anxiety disorders.

Unanswered Questions

Yet, researchers are not sure if there is a cause and effect. If there is, they also do not know which might happen first. Researchers believe there are several reasons why a correlation could exist. First, they think that people who experience severe itching because of their allergies may experience social consequences triggering mental health conditions.

Disrupted Sleep Patterns

If the allergic condition disrupts a person’s sleep, that may also trigger or exuberate mental health conditions, particularly mood disorders. People who are sleep deprived are more likely to have anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Inflammation

Researchers also believe that inflammation may play a role. People who have allergies experience increased inflammation. Meanwhile, inflammation can play a role in some mental health conditions. Doctors now understand that psychological stress can cause inflammation, triggering allergy conditions. In fact, some researchers believe that inflammation is at the root of all mental health issues. When inflammation is present, it can change how the brain works.

Nutrition

Eating the wrong foods can cause your allergies to become worse. Therefore, you should carefully monitor your diet. When you do not get enough Omega 3 and magnesium in your diet, it’s been shown that some mental health conditions may be triggered.

See Your Primary Care Physician

While researchers continue to look for a connection, taking care of both allergies and your mental well-being can help you feel better. Over-the-counter medications and other treatments, like essential oils, may help stop your allergies. If not, make an appointment with your primary care physician. Diffusing essential oils can help you breathe better while uplifting your mood, which can increase your sense of wellness.

Meanwhile, you should also consult a mental health professional if you have any questions or concerns about your mental health. Talking to someone can help you spot early signs of mental health conditions when they are often easiest to treat.  We invite you to contact American Behavioral Clinics today to set up a free initial consultation.