Don't Feed the Fear: Allergy Anxiety & Trauma

Amanda Whitehouse, Ph.D.
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Mental Health

Welcome to "Don't Feed the Fear," where licensed psychologist Dr. Amanda Whitehouse offers expert guidance on managing the social and emotional challenges of food allergies, celiac, and related conditions. Tune in for compassionate advice, practical strategies, and inspiring stories to help you navigate anxiety and trauma with confidence and resilience.  For more info on resources from Dr. Whitehouse, go to www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com      Theme song: The Doghouse by Kyle Dine, www.kyledine.comUsed with permission from the artistFull transcripts are available to support accessibility and inclusive listening: https://www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com/dont-feed-the-fear-blog

  1. 3d ago

    #89 Is SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy) Underrated? With Dr. Nikhila Schroeder

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, allergist Dr. Nikhila Schroeder, founder of Allergenity Health, joins the podcast to discuss sublingual immunotherapy as a standalone treatment for food allergies. As the second installment in our SLIT series, this conversation moves beyond introductory discussions and into a broader vision of what SLIT can offer. Dr. Schroeder shares how sublingual immunotherapy may provide meaningful protection, improved quality of life, and a lower intensity pathway for families who may not be pursuing higher-dose oral immunotherapy. We explore: • How SLIT works and how it differs from OIT • Expanding SLIT beyond its traditional framing • Which patients may benefit most from this approach • The importance of aligning treatment with family goals This episode is part of a larger season exploring immunotherapy options in allergy care, highlighting both the promise and the complexity of an expanding treatment landscape. Follow Dr. Schroeder: https://allergenuityhealth.com/ @allergeunityhealth Dr. Whitehouse's book: From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy https://a.co/d/003saZ8p Smells Like HumansLike listening to funny friends discuss curious human behavior.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify 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

    #89 Is SLIT (Sublingual Immunotherapy) Underrated? With Dr. Nikhila Schroeder

  2. Aug 11

    #88 Reflecting on OIT for Three with Sarah Hornung

    Send us Fan Mail Every family's experience with food allergy treatment is different and hearing those lived experiences can be just as valuable as knowing the research and hearing from the experts. This week's episode welcomes back food allergy Mom and advocate Sarah Hornung, who was first featured in Episode 11. Sarah is back for this season on immunotherapy to share what it was like to guide all three of her children through oral immunotherapy for multiple foods. Our conversation explores the realities of treatment from a parent's perspective: the challenges, the unexpected moments, the lessons learned, and how each child's journey unfolded in its own unique way. If you're considering immunotherapy or supporting families who are, we hope this conversation offers both practical insight and reassurance that there is no one-size-fits-all treatment experience. Follow Sarah on Instagram @theeagerteacher Listen to her previous episode (#11) on DFF here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2371319/episodes/16272334 Find Dr. Whitehouse's book on: Amazon  https://a.co/d/03vDOBMy bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/p/books/from-fear-to-freedom-a-workbook-for-navigating-allergy-immunotherapy-amanda-r-desio-whitehouse/62f4d096796ed48c?ean=9798995147404&bkshp-astro=t Smells Like HumansLike listening to funny friends discuss curious human behavior.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify 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

    #88 Reflecting on OIT for Three with Sarah Hornung

  3. Aug 4

    #87 Dr. Kara Wada on Sjögren’s, ILIT, and Reimagining Immune Care

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Kara Wada, known online as The Immune Confident MD, joins the podcast to discuss immune complexity from both the physician and patient perspective. Dr. Wada is a board-certified allergist, immunologist, lifestyle medicine physician, food allergy mom, and Sjogren's patient. Living with Sjögren’s disease and dysautonomia herself, Dr. Wada shares how personal experience reshaped her approach to allergy and autoimmune care. We explore the intersection of conventional and integrative medicine, the emotional realities of navigating chronic illness, and the importance of compassionate, patient-centered care. We also discuss intra-lymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT), a lesser-known but evidence-based allergy treatment that differs from traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy. Dr. Wada explains how ILIT works, who it may be appropriate for, and why it remains less widely available despite promising research. This episode expands the conversation around immune health and personalized treatment pathways. CONNECT WITH DR. KARA  Website → https://www.drkarawada.com/   LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/karawadamd/   Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/immuneconfidentmd/  Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/KaraWadaMD  TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@immuneconfidentmd  Dr. Whitehouse's book: From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy https://a.co/d/003saZ8p Smells Like HumansLike listening to funny friends discuss curious human behavior.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify 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

    #87 Dr. Kara Wada on Sjögren’s, ILIT, and Reimagining Immune Care

  4. Jul 28

    #86 Biologics in Food Allergy Care: A New Era with Dr. Brian Vickery

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Dr. Brian Vickery of Emory University joins the podcast to discuss biologics in food allergy treatment. As research advances, biologics are emerging as both standalone therapies and adjuncts to other treatments such as oral immunotherapy. Dr. Vickery explains how these medications work, what they are designed to target within the immune system, and how they may shift the risk-benefit landscape for certain patients. We also briefly discuss PEACH, a quality of life measurement tool developed to better assess the real-world impact of food allergy on families. This episode continues our season-long exploration of evolving treatment options, with a focus on clear, balanced information to support informed decision-making. Dr. Vickery: https://www.choa.org/doctors/brian-p-vickery From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy https://a.co/d/003saZ8p Smells Like HumansLike listening to funny friends discuss curious human behavior.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify 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

    #86 Biologics in Food Allergy Care: A New Era with Dr. Brian Vickery

  5. Jul 21

    #85 How Sublingual Immunotherapy Can Increase Safety and Freedom, With Dr. Allison Freeman

    Send us Fan Mail All allergy families are familiar with strict avoidance and emergency preparedness, and some have heard of oral immunotherapy (OIT). But fewer know about sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) and how it may fit into a long term treatment plan. In this episode, I sit down with allergist Dr. Allison Freeman to explore what SLIT is, how it works, and when it may be a good option for both environmental and food allergies. Dr. Freeman is a board certified allergist and immunologist practicing in Richmond, Virginia. She has extensive experience helping patients pursue personalized immunotherapy strategies. This conversation is also personal for me. Dr. Freeman was one of the physicians who helped my own child reach maintenance with SLIT for multiple allergens. She also helped us transition from expensive compounded extract drops to a whole food SLIT protocol, saving our family a significant amount of money while continuing treatment safely. In this episode we discuss: • What SLIT is and how it works  • How SLIT compares to OIT and other immunotherapy options  • The potential role of SLIT for food allergies and environmental allergies  • How SLIT can be used as a standalone treatment or in combination with other approaches If you are curious about options beyond avoidance, this episode offers a thoughtful introduction to a treatment approach that is still underutilized but increasingly promising. Connect with Dr. Freeman: https://www.chrichmond.org/services/allergy-and-immunology/ From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy https://a.co/d/003saZ8p Smells Like HumansLike listening to funny friends discuss curious human behavior.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify 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

    #85 How Sublingual Immunotherapy Can Increase Safety and Freedom, With Dr. Allison Freeman

  6. Jul 14

    #84 Demystifying EoE with Dr. Christopher Parrish

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Christopher Parrish, a triple board-certified allergist and immunologist who leads Latitude Food Allergy Care’s Orange County clinic and has been involved in groundbreaking clinical research in both food allergy and EoE. Dr. Parrish previously served as faculty at UT Southwestern Medical Center and helped lead a multidisciplinary program dedicated to eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases. His work has contributed to clinical trials that ultimately led to the first FDA-approved therapies for food allergy and EoE. In our conversation, Dr. Parrish explains: What EoE actually isWhy it comes up so often in conversations about immunotherapyWhat families and patients often misunderstand about the conditionHow EoE is diagnosed and treatedHow patients and clinicians think through these risks when considering immunotherapyThis episode is designed to help patients, parents, and clinicians better understand the science and the decision-making around EoE and food allergy treatment. Dr. Christopher Parrish, Latitude: https://latitudefoodallergycare.com/about-us/team/clinical/christopher-parrish From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy https://a.co/d/003saZ8p Smells Like HumansLike listening to funny friends discuss curious human behavior.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify 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

    #84 Demystifying EoE with Dr. Christopher Parrish

  7. Jul 7

    #83 Could Research Shift the Way You Feel About Food Allergy Treatments?

    Send us Fan Mail Food allergy research is constantly evolving, but what do these studies actually mean for families making treatment decisions? In this episode of Don't Feed the Fear, I welcome Dr. Lianne Soller Allergy Research Manager at BC Children's Hospital in Canada to help us make sense of the evidence behind food allergy immunotherapy and where the field is headed. Together, we explore some of Dr. Soller and her team's most important research findings, including what we've learned about treatment outcomes, quality of life, safety, and factors that may influence success. Rather than focusing on headlines or individual studies in isolation, this conversation highlights why becoming curious about food allergy research can help families feel more informed and confident as they navigate treatment decisions. Dr. Soller also shares insights into how research questions are developed, why evidence continues to evolve, and how families can thoughtfully interpret new findings without becoming overwhelmed. Research helps us ask better questions, but every family's decision is still deeply personal. My hope is that this conversation helps you see the value of research-informed decisions. Canadian Food Allergy Immunotherapy Foundation (FAIT): https://www.bcchildrens.ca/clinics-services/allergy BC Children's Hospital Allergy: https://www.canadianfaitfoundation.org/ My new book From Fear to Freedom: https://a.co/d/0f41FxsM Smells Like HumansLike listening to funny friends discuss curious human behavior.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify 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

    #83 Could Research Shift the Way You Feel About Food Allergy Treatments?

  8. Jun 30

    #82 When "Not Right Now" is Right For Now with Ina Chung

    Send us Fan Mail Every family approaches food allergy treatment differently, and that's exactly as it should be. In this episode, psychologist and food allergy mom I sit down with Ina Chung, creator of @TheAsianAllergyMom to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of treatment decisions: giving yourself permission to choose the path that aligns with your family's goals, values, and season of life. Together we discuss:  Why more treatment options can sometimes create more pressure  Raising confident, thoughtful children with food allergies  Helping kids become part of the decision-making process  The importance of knowing your family's goals before choosing a treatment  Why "not right now" can be a thoughtful decision  Building confidence instead of comparison You can follow Ina on Instagram @theasianallergymom The Asian Allergy Mom My new book, From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy is available here: https://a.co/d/051hmpku Smells Like HumansLike listening to funny friends discuss curious human behavior.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify 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

    #82 When "Not Right Now" is Right For Now with Ina Chung
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5
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15 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Don't Feed the Fear," where licensed psychologist Dr. Amanda Whitehouse offers expert guidance on managing the social and emotional challenges of food allergies, celiac, and related conditions. Tune in for compassionate advice, practical strategies, and inspiring stories to help you navigate anxiety and trauma with confidence and resilience.  For more info on resources from Dr. Whitehouse, go to www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com      Theme song: The Doghouse by Kyle Dine, www.kyledine.comUsed with permission from the artistFull transcripts are available to support accessibility and inclusive listening: https://www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com/dont-feed-the-fear-blog

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