{"id":30,"date":"2013-05-09T01:38:02","date_gmt":"2013-05-09T01:38:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.allergyhome.org\/handbook\/?page_id=30"},"modified":"2013-06-10T21:34:43","modified_gmt":"2013-06-11T01:34:43","slug":"managing-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.allergyhome.org\/handbook\/table-of-contents\/food-allergy-challenges\/managing-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"Managing Anxiety & Feeling in Control"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As a parent it is very common to feel worried about your child having an allergic reaction.25 <\/sup>This concern can help to motivate you and your family to learn how to manage food allergies.26<\/sup> With the right information, you begin to understand the possible risks for your child and how to reduce them.\u00a0 This helps to keep your anxiety under control so that you can help your child feel confident about managing allergies.\u00a0 Here are some things to keep in mind.<\/p>\n

Get the facts.<\/b>\u00a0 If you are not sure about the level of risk in a certain situation, talk to your child\u2019s doctor, patient organization or a local support group.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t have the facts, it is easy to worry and difficult to find solutions.<\/p>\n

Remember that ups and downs are normal.<\/b>\u00a0 It is normal to experience some anxiety after major life changes, including when your child is first diagnosed with a food allergy or when they start a new activity, such as entering childcare, starting school or going to a friend\u2019s home. \u00a0You will learn to find routines that keep your child safe and work for your family.<\/p>\n

Find a support group in your area.<\/b>\u00a0 Allergy support groups can provide valuable information and understanding and show you that other families are successfully living with allergies.<\/p>\n

Remember that your child learns from you.<\/b>\u00a0 When your words and behaviour show that you are confident, your child will feel the same.\u00a0 Try not to use words that can scare your child such as describing them as \u201cdeathly allergic\u201d <\/b>or saying \u201cthis food can kill my child\u201d.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/b>Instead, talk about the fact that food allergies can be managed.<\/p>\n

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The lessons you teach your child when they are young will help them to self-manage as they get older.<\/div>\n

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Empower your child.<\/b> \u00a0Increase your child\u2019s sense of control by involving them in managing their allergy.\u00a0\u00a0 Help them build their skills, such as reading food labels and learning how to use their auto-injectors.<\/p>\n

Prepare your child for new situations.<\/b>\u00a0 Visit new places ahead of time and introduce your child to the adults who will take care of them.\u00a0 Tell your child about plans to keep them safe, including emergency steps.<\/p>\n

Problem solve with your child.\u00a0 <\/b>If your child is worried about a situation, talk to them about their concerns and ask them what they and others could do to help. \u00a0For older children, writing the plan down may make it feel more \u201cofficial.\u201d<\/p>\n

Be available for difficult conversations.<\/b>\u00a0 If your child thinks that a topic is off limits or makes you feel uneasy, they may not talk to you.\u00a0 Sometimes they fill in the details with their imagination, which can be more frightening than reality.<\/p>\n

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If you or your child is feeling increased anxiety, talk to your doctor. They may refer you to a specialist who can help you develop coping strategies that work for you.<\/div>\n

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\"AllergyHome<\/a> Additional Information<\/span>
\nKFA Webinar:<\/strong> Raising a Well-Adjusted Child Who Takes Food Allergies in Stride<\/a>
\nChildren’s Book:<\/strong> The Bouncing Worry Ball and Mighty Mitt: A Story, Coloring Book and Workbook to Help Kids Overcome Anxiety about Allergies<\/a> by Leslie R. Brody, PhD\n<\/div>\n

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References<\/a><\/b>
25. <\/sup>Cohen, B.L., Noone, S., Munoz-Furlong, A. and Sicherer, S.H. \u201cDevelopment of a questionnaire to measure quality of life in families with a child with food allergy.\u201d Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology<\/i> 114 (2004): 1159-63.
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26. <\/sup>Mandell, D., Curtis, R., Gold, M., and Hardie, S. \u201cFamilies coping with a diagnosis of anaphylaxis in a child. A qualitative study of informational and support needs.\u201d Allergy & Clinical Immunology International – Journal of the World Allergy Organization<\/i> 14 (2002): 96-101.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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