SUSTAINABLE RESILIENCE

Allergies and Anxiety Preventative Strategies

Paula Barrett
Pathways Health and Research Centre

www.pathwayshrc.com.au
University of Queensland

Acknowledgments
My family: Ana, Tom, Brad and our pets Pathways Team All the families we have worked with

Our mind can overcome almost any adversity

Norman Doidge

Risk and Protective Factors for Human Development

Risk Factors:
Temperament Physiological sensitivity low thresholds for stress Neurological/brain development Life Events traumas Physical Health

Protective Factors:
Attachment/Affection Cognitive style Family Sleep Daily Exercise Diet School /Work Evidence Based Prevention

What we know:
One in five adults & children suffer anxiety or depression (more prevalent than drug use, ADHD, or any other health problem) One in five adults or children suffer from allergies and associated anxiety Less than 5 % of cases receive effective preventative interventions

What we know:

90% of major emotional and psychological difficulties and allergies start before 18 years of age !

What we know

Parents and Health Professionals do not know how to access and implement preventative Psychological Evidence Based Interventions

Evidence based interventions

Attachment
Stable, unconditionally

loving relationships,

Learning
Problem solving skills Coping Behavioural Skills

Self - soothing, mirror self-worth, acceptance, safety

Cognitive
Positive thinking skills about self, others and the environment

Positive role models

Support networks

Physiological
Awareness of body clues Relaxation techniques Self-regulation Managing physical conditions

Australian Evidence Based Resilience Program: Friends for Life

F = Feelings (awareness and empathy) R = Relaxation (self reg & self soothing) I = Unhelpful vs helpful thinking E = Problem Solving and step plans N = Nurturing confidence D = Dont forget the ongoing practise S = Stay calm, You know what is happening, You know what to do

We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future

Early Intervention

Preventative Interventions - Early prior to onset of a disorder Preventative Interventions - Early developmentally in a childs life

What WE CAN do:

Education rather than stigma Prevention rather than waiting Empowerment rather than blaming Focus on interactions and learning skills Focus on strengths rather than deficits Focus on solutions rather than problems

Parental Happiness

Parenting Skills

Developmental Readiness

Rest and Quiet Time

Routines

Diet

Sleep

 Externalising the anxiety and allergy challenges empowers the child and the family

Friedman and Morris, REVIEW

Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings

There is an increasing prevalence of anxiety disorders and allergic conditions in children and adolescents - these illnesses are often comorbid. Anxiety management skills are needed for parents and children

Allergy management skills are needed for parents and children

Friedman and Morris What can be done:

We must identify at-risk children We must study the family history We must conduct validated assessments for comorbid anxiety and allergies We need to target anxious parents and to implement exposure and other CBT skills We need to develop and evaluate treatments that reduce fear associated with the physiological symptoms of allergic reactions

Teufel et al, 07
What can be done: It is important to acknowledge the complex interplay between body and mind: adults and children suffering from food allergy show impaired quality of life and a higher level of stress and anxiety. We need to develop strategies for an optimized management of the various types of adverse reactions to food.

DunnGalvin et al, 09 What can be done:

1 - A developmental framework must link health related quality of life and the maturation of the immune system. 2 - It must also link psychological stress, temperament and emotion to neuro-immunoregulation and increased risk of negative impact. 3 It must explain both physiological and psychological phenomena and their interaction.

Preventative skills
Be happy Nurture important relationships Have fun with children Let children be children Monitor, cohesion, consistency Spend time, interpersonal rewards Sleep, Diet, Exercise, Play

DunnGalvin et al, 09
Children whose parents encouraged independence and self-management were more likely to describe positive coping strategies

If there's food around, I will be careful, but otherwise I don't think about it I always tell people I'm food allergicits safer that way and then you don't have to keep explaining

Cummings Ped All Imm 2010

Anxiety can be managed by both parents and children with positive outcomes for all independent of allergy severity and type experienced by the children.

Graves et al, 2010 Journal of Pediatric Psychology

Summarises 70 studies doen with children with chronic illness mainly allergies Only 50% of families with children adhere to treatment and prevention protocols

Adherence maximises long term health benefits

THANK YOU!

WWW.PATHWAYSHRC.COM.AU
The brain that changes itself Doidge, 07 Allergies and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: A Review of the Literature Friedman and Morris, 06 Psychological burden of food allergy Teufel et al, 07 Developmental Pathways in food allergy: a new theoretical framework DunnGalvin et al, 09