The Potential Link Between Allergies and Depression

The connection between anxiety and allergies is a topic that I've written and talked about extensively before. It continues to impact me daily. However, another big struggle goes hand in hand with anxiety and allergies that I haven't written about yet: depression.

Being diagnosed with depression

Allergies and several other chronic health conditions have plagued me most of my life. Not surprisingly, as we know, allergies are not easy to deal with by any means.

Many people don't think of allergies as a serious and impactful health condition, yet it significantly affects the quality of our lives.

The connection between allergies and depression

It comes as no surprise that depression and allergies are linked. An analysis of over 1,000 research studies found that people diagnosed with allergies had a significantly increased risk of depression.¹

Living with allergies affects every area of our lives to some degree, from employment to daily living and social connections, among others. Despite our symptoms, whether it's a runny nose and itchy eyes, hives, or another skin rash, we still have to continue living and showing up daily. And that isn't always easy, to say the least.

Constantly dealing with symptoms

Having to deal with symptoms constantly is exhausting and frustrating. It can feel like a full-time job just trying to keep the symptoms under control, let alone anything else.

Personally, I can't count how many days I've had where I didn't even want to get out of bed in the morning because of allergies. Often, that in itself is a huge task for me.

Feeling isolated

When dealing with so many symptoms and feeling unwell, it's harder to be passionate and motivated about life. Sometimes it just feels like there is no point. It also gets incredibly lonely and isolating, especially when we don't have others around us who understand.

Prioritizing mental and emotional health

It's essential to take care of not only our physical symptoms but mental and emotional well-being. Whether that means going to therapy, taking medication, meditating, or exercising, find whatever works for you.

We are all so different, and even depression affects us all differently. I personally have had to try many modalities over the years. Now, I have a "toolbox" of resources I use consistently.

Ways to cope with depression

These include cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, meditation, yoga, time out in nature, and others. I truly believe it is just as vital to take care of our mental and emotional state as it is the physical, if not more so. After all, the mind and body are connected, and we are multi-dimensional beings.

No matter where you are on your journey, remember - you are more than your allergies. And you are more than the depression, anxiety, or anything else you may be going through. And you are certainly worthy of a fulfilling life despite your allergies!