Don't Feed the Fear: Allergy Anxiety & Trauma

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 4 of Don't Feed the Fear — a new chapter I'm calling “I Don’t Want to Talk About It.”   This season is all about the things we avoid — the fears we carry in silence, the emotions we push down, and the stories we tell ourselves (and sometimes don’t) about life with food allergies. The episode also touches on last season's discussion of strengthening...

Send us Fan Mail This season’s book club episode kicks off National Poetry Month with memoirist and poet Sandra Beasley. She expertly weaves her wit and wisdom on her own experiences into her writing and discussion about life with food allergies. In this episode, we talk about:  ✨ Allergies as a punchline or lazy plot device & the impact of these portrayals on real people  ✨ Topics we need t...

Send us Fan Mail Season 3: Strengthening our Support Systems  Renowned allergist Dr. David Stukus joins Dr. Whitehouse to discuss the evolving landscape of allergy treatment and what it means for those living with food allergies. We discuss promising new therapies, advancements on the horizon, and what patients should know about emerging treatment options. Beyond the science, we also examine the i...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Don’t Feed the Fear, host Dr. Whitehouse sits down with Lisa Rutter, the founder of NNMG Food Allergic Families (originally No Nuts Moms Group), one of the largest online support communities for food-allergic families. Together, they explore the power of connection in navigating the challenges of food allergy parenting. Lisa shares the inspiration behind creatin...

Send us Fan Mail Renata Doerr, a board member of the Greater Buffalo Food Allergy Alliance (GBFAA), joins Dr. Whitehouse to discuss the power of local connections in navigating life with food allergies. Together, they explore how local support networks can make a difference, and the GBFAA's impactful initiatives, including an annual awareness race and fundraising efforts that support communit...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Whitehouse speaks with Nishti, a dietitian specializing in food allergies, to explore the critical role of early detection and intervention in managing food allergies. They discuss the latest insights on early food introduction and signs of food allergies, the connection between gut health/inflammation/allergies, and the importance of the microbiome in immune system developmen...

Send us Fan Mail Mark Elvidge, the founder of Vermont Nut Free Chocolates shares his journey in creating delicious, allergy-friendly chocolate. From the inspiration behind the brand to the challenges of ensuring safety in manufacturing, Mark shares insights into what it takes to make sweet treats accessible to those with food allergies. They also explore the emotional side of food allergies—how ac...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Whitehouse explores therapy as a helpful resource for those navigating the emotional and psychological challenges of living with food allergies. She offers practical guidance on how to know if you can benefit from therapy, how to find and choose a therapist who understands food allergies, and how to determine whether a therapist is the right fit for your needs. Whether you&apo...

Send us Fan Mail Michael Sawers, a talented young musician who opens up about his experiences navigating life with food allergies and OCD. From his teenage years to college and now young adulthood, he shares the challenges and triumphs of managing his health while striving for independence. Join us as we delve into: The impact of food allergies on his mental health and daily life. Strategies for t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Whitehouse talks with Sarah Hornung, a food allergy mom and dedicated school administrator who shares how her personal journey with food allergies has shaped her professional mission. Together, we explore how to create school environments that go beyond safety measures, addressing the emotional well-being of children navigating the challenges of food allergies...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Dana Wrubel, a remarkable advocate who turned her personal challenges with food allergies into a powerful platform for change. Through the creation of the magazine and podcast Just Allergy Things by teens, for teens , Dana is empowering others to navigate food allergy anxiety and build resilience. She shares her journey of navigating high school, transitioning to college, and...

Send us Fan Mail As the holidays bring us together, they can also amplify the stress and anxiety of managing food allergies in social settings. In this episode, Dr. Whitehouse provides a comprehensive and specific decision-making framework for navigating holiday gatherings with food allergies. I discuss how to balance the importance of safety with the desire to enjoy this special season, offering...

Send us Fan Mail Courage at Congress 2024: Advocate for a Cure - FoodAllergy.org EpiPen Price Cap Bill Passes New York Legislature – EpiPens to Cost $100 - FoodAllergy.org Allergy Friendly Candy and Foods   Eat Freely - Enjoy Life Foods® | Allergy Friendly & Gluten-Free‎ YumEarth | Organic Candy | Allergy Friendly Candy Vermont Nut Free Chocolates 88 ACRES | Just Good Nutrition, POWERED by SEE...

Send us Fan Mail This fall we are talking about advocacy, and Laurel Francoeur is joining us to give us an overview of our rights as food allergic individuals. She touches on all the hot topics including allergies in schools, flying with allergies, and our right to safe foods in restaurants. Laurel has been advocating for her son and everyone with food allergies for decades, and continues  Laurel...

Send us Fan Mail Destiny Davis, the Chronic Illness Therapist, joins me to discuss the powerful connection between attachment styles and coping mechanisms for managing food allergy anxiety and trauma. Together, we explore how attachment patterns—secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized—influence emotional regulation and stress responses in individuals with food allergies and those caring for th...

Send us Fan Mail In our summer book club, meet children’s book author Emily Reed, who channeled her own anxiety about her son’s food allergies into a book to teach him confidence and self-advocacy. Emily and I dive deep into her journey as a mother navigating the complexities of having two kids with food allergies and FPIES, the fears and guilt that come with it, and how she channeled those emotio...

Send us Fan Mail Food Allergy Bravery Clinic | Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (chop.edu) What is Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)?:   Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder - NEDA (nationaleatingdisorders.org) Three things: 1.        After Anaphylaxis resource: Cards (mountsinai.org) 2.       Tell your story to a safe, trusted person, all the way through to the point...

Send us Fan Mail 3 Action Steps: 1. Request my Epi Confidence Weekend Challenge FREEBIE at www. DrAmandaWhitehouse.com/connect 2 . Make an appointment with your allergist to review any questions about epinephrine use FARE Allergy Action Plan: https://www.foodallergy.org/media/935/download 3. Join me for my Epi Experts Group 4-week small group, virtual sessions Wednesdays 7-8:15 pm EST beginning 8/...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode, I sit down with a remarkable musician and educator Kyle Dine who has turned his personal challenges with food allergies into a powerful platform for awareness and advocacy. Join us as Kyle shares his journey of living with food allergies, from his own struggles in childhood to becoming a confident advocate. Kyle delves into how and why music became a uni...

Send us Fan Mail In our first episode, let's dive into the intricate connection between food allergy anxiety, trauma, and the autonomic nervous system. For those living with food allergies, the fear of accidental exposure and the potential for life-threatening reactions can create a pervasive sense of anxiety and trauma. But why does this happen, what makes it different from anxiety about oth...

Send us Fan Mail Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme! www.kyledine.com Find Dr. Whitehouse: -thefoodallergypsychologist.com -Instagram: @thefoodallergypsychologist -Facebook: Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, Food Allergy Anxiety Psychologist -welcome@dramandawhitehouse.com