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. May Contain: My Life - Behind the Scenes with Mandi Kearns

    6D AGO

    May Contain: My Life - Behind the Scenes with Mandi Kearns

    Send us Fan Mail This week on the podcast, I’m joined by filmmaker and advocate Mandi Kearns of Just Like You Films to discuss the upcoming food allergy docudrama, May Contain: My Life. This conversation explores not only the making of the film, but the emotional realities behind it: parenting through food allergies, navigating fear and resilience, sibling experiences, emergency situations, advocacy, and the ways these experiences continue to live in our nervous systems long after reactions are over. One of the things I appreciated most about this film is that it does not portray individuals with food allergies as fragile or broken. Instead, it honestly captures the complexity of living with food allergies while still centering resilience, identity, connection, humor, and humanity. This is an incredibly meaningful conversation for food allergy parents, adult patients, providers, advocates, and anyone wanting to better understand the lived experience of this community. Learn more: Just Like You Films: https://justlikeyoufilms.orgFilm information and screenings: https://justlikeyoufilms.orgJLY Films' Walk Beside You Promise: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0UUxOzL84UAMC Showtimes: https://www.amctheatres.com/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

    36 min
  2. From Awareness to Action with AAFA's Kenneth Mendez

    MAY 12

    From Awareness to Action with AAFA's Kenneth Mendez

    Send us Fan Mail In this special Allergy & Asthma Awareness Month episode, psychologist and food allergy advocate Manda Rene sits down with Kenny Mendez, President and CEO of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), for a conversation about advocacy, policy change, and the future of support for the allergy and asthma community. Together, they discuss the emotional and practical realities families face while navigating food allergies and asthma, the importance of community-driven advocacy, and the work AAFA has done to support meaningful legislative change, including California’s groundbreaking restaurant allergen labeling law, The ADDE Law. Kenny also shares insight into stock epinephrine laws, how advocacy efforts move through legislation, and why community involvement matters more than people often realize. This episode offers both hope and practical perspective for parents, patients, clinicians, and advocates looking to better understand how systemic change happens. Some of AAFA's Resources: My Life With: https://aafa.org/asthma-allergy-research/our-research/my-life-with-food-allergy-report/ Ask The Allergist: https://community.aafa.org/db/ask-the-allergist Recipes: https://kidswithfoodallergies.org/recipes-diet/ AAFANoon Chats Podcast: https://aafa.org/asthma-allergy-news/podcasts/ 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

    30 min
  3. Understanding FPIES with iFPIES Founder Fallon Schultz

    MAY 4

    Understanding FPIES with iFPIES Founder Fallon Schultz

    Send us Fan Mail FPIES (Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome) is a type of food allergy that often goes unrecognized, leaving families confused, dismissed, and searching for answers. In this episode, I’m joined by iFPIES founder Fallon Schultz, MSW, LCSW, to explore both the clinical and lived experience of FPIES. Fallon shares her personal story, the challenges of navigating a diagnosis that doesn’t fit the typical food allergy mold, and how that journey led her to create a vital resource for families. We discuss what FPIES is, how it differs from IgE-mediated food allergies, the different types and presentations, and why more families may be encountering FPIES in the context of early food introduction guidelines. We also talk about the social/emotional impact of navigating unpredictable reactions, and the importance of community, validation, and trauma-informed support. Whether you’re a parent, provider, or advocate, this episode offers both clarity and compassion for a frequently misunderstood condition. Connect with iFPIES at fpies.org @ifpies FPIES Action Plan: https://fpies.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/all-ages-FPIES-ACTION-PLAN.pdf Loni's Lounge (free FPIES support): https://fpies.org/lonis-lounge/ Customizable FPIES Dining Card: https://fpies.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IFPIES-Dining-Out-Card.pdf 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

    46 min
  4. Immunotherapy Options for Environmental Allergies with Dr. Manisha Relan

    APR 28

    Immunotherapy Options for Environmental Allergies with Dr. Manisha Relan

    Send us Fan Mail Environmental allergies can significantly impact daily life, from chronic congestion and itchy eyes to sleep disruption and reduced quality of life. If daily medications aren't enough, there are longer-term treatment options available. In this episode, pediatric allergist Dr. Manisha Relan joins us to break down two forms of allergen immunotherapy: SCIT (allergy shots) and SLIT (sublingual tablets or drops). We discuss how they work, who is a good candidate, the time commitment involved, safety considerations, and how patients and families can approach the decision thoughtfully. Episode Links: -Dr. Relan on Instagram and Threads: @pedsallergymd -Find an allergist https://allergist.aaaai.org/find/ or https://acaai.org/find-an-allergist/ -101 Before One: https://www.101beforeone.com/ -Book Baby Leads The Way: https://bookshop.org/p/books/baby-leads-the-way-an-evidence-based-guide-to-introducing-solid-foods-catherine-callahan-ms-ccc-slp-clc/6de5272603742aab?ean=9781610027625&next=t Follow me on social media @thefoodallergypsychologist and sign up for my newsletter on my website for updates on my book, From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy, coming in June! https://www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com/connect 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

    43 min
  5. Preparing for Immunotherapy: Dr. Dave Stukus on Tests, Challenges, and Expectations

    APR 21

    Preparing for Immunotherapy: Dr. Dave Stukus on Tests, Challenges, and Expectations

    Send us Fan Mail My second guest for this special podcast season guiding listeners through the immunotherapy process welcomes back Dr. David Stukus, Director of the Food Allergy Treatment Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and  President-Elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). Dr. Stukus shares his clinical approach to preparing patients for food allergy immunotherapy, including the role of diagnostic testing, oral food challenges, and threshold challenges in clarifying treatment decisions. The discussion also addresses the mental preparation required for immunotherapy, common fears and hesitations families experience, and what realistic benefits patients can expect during and "after" treatment. Listeners will gain insight into: What medical tests and food challenges may be recommended and whyHow allergists assess readiness for immunotherapyThe common “bumps in the road” during treatmentWhat happens once maintenance is reachedAnd how to think about long-term outcomes when treatment is considered “done”This episode offers practical, evidence-based guidance for families seeking clarity before beginning food allergy treatment. -Follow Dr. Stukus on Instagram @pedsallergydoc -Retail Food Equivalents for OIT article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2213219822010650  -Dr. Stukus' first appearance on the Don't Feed the Fear podcast (Episode 18): https://www.buzzsprout.com/2371319/episodes/16808272 Follow me on social media @thefoodallergypsychologist and sign up for my newsletter on my website for updates on my book, From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy, coming in June! https://www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com/connect 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

    43 min
  6. Shared Decision Making in Allergy Treatment Choices with Dr. Shahzad Mustafa

    APR 14

    Shared Decision Making in Allergy Treatment Choices with Dr. Shahzad Mustafa

    Send us Fan Mail We are living in an exciting time in food allergy medicine with multiple treatment options to choose some and likely more on the way soon. But more options can also mean more overwhelm. I've invited some of the world's foremost experts in allergy to join me for this exciting season guiding us through these choices and decisions to lead us from overwhelm to confidence. In this episode, Dr. Shahzad Mustafa joins us to talk about how shared decision making helps families make treatment decisions without panic or pressure. Dr. Mustafa gives us an overview of our options and explains how he guides patients through their decisions using a collaborative, values-based approach that balances medical evidence, risk tolerance, and individual goals. This conversation is about partnership, clarifying goals and needs, and making medical decisions through an informed and individualized lens. Episode links: Dr. Mustafa - https://www.rochesterregional.org/providers/syed-s-mustafa# January 2026 article, "Updates in the Management of Peanut Allergy" - https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-med-050224-121037 Follow me on social media @thefoodallergypsychologist and sign up for my newsletter on my website for updates on my book, From Fear to Freedom: A Workbook for Navigating Allergy Immunotherapy, coming in June! https://www.thefoodallergypsychologist.com/connect 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

    49 min
  7. When Options Feel Overwhelming: Our Immunotherapy Journey (& A Big Announcement!)

    APR 7

    When Options Feel Overwhelming: Our Immunotherapy Journey (& A Big Announcement!)

    Send us Fan Mail This season we are discussing options in food allergies. This week's episode begins a deep dive into one of the most complex and emotional parts of living with food allergies: treatment options. With more treatment options available than ever before, patients and families are facing decisions that are both hopeful and overwhelming. These choices are not just medical. They are deeply emotional, shaped by past experiences, anxiety, trauma, and the realities of individual characteristics and daily life. In this solo episode, I share: Why more choices can sometimes make decisions harder The psychological side of treatment decisions that often gets overlooked What anxiety and past reactions can bring into the process Our personal journey through multiple allergy treatments, including the challenges, pivots, unexpected outcomes, and my most treasured moments and surprisesI’m also sharing a big announcement about something I've created to take the work from this season even deeper for those making decisions or navigating treatment. Whether you are considering treatment, currently in it, or choosing not to pursue it, this episode will help you feel less alone and more confident in your path. 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

    26 min
  8. Another Needle-Free Epi Option?: An Update on Nasdepi

    MAR 31

    Another Needle-Free Epi Option?: An Update on Nasdepi

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I'm joined by Scott Lyman, CEO and Co-Founder of Belhaven BioPharma, to discuss Nasdepi®, an investigational dry powder epinephrine nasal spray currently in development for the treatment of anaphylaxis. Nasdepi® is designed as a needle-free alternative to traditional auto-injectors, with early clinical data suggesting rapid absorption and strong temperature stability. We talk about: Why alternative delivery systems matterNeedle fears and other real-world barriers to carrying epinephrineHuman factor studies and ease of use in high-stress situationsWhat “investigational” means and where the product stands in developmentThis episode is part of a broader series exploring epinephrine options beginning with episode 67. As always, this podcast does not promote any specific product, just information and education.  Episode links: -Nasdepi: https://belhavenbio.com/nasdepi-progress/ 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

    31 min
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5
out of 5
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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