Page 119 - The Ultimate Guidebook for Teens with Food Allergies

of the sidewalk to give myself epinephrine and call an ambulance, I felt so overwhelmed by everything. Having a reaction can take a toll on someone, especially when they least expect it and when they are alone. Sometimes having a reaction can make you feel like a failure because you always manage to stay safe — except for that one time you have a reaction. If I ever have a reaction, I always take the time afterwards to reassure myself that I am okay. I tell myself that I have taken the right steps and that I did the right thing. After this particular reaction, my parents drove me home and I just relaxed for a bit and recovered physically. Emotionally, I found it helpful to walk through the day in my mind to see where things went wrong. I know that it can be difficult. But I find it to be a learning process for the next time the situation might arise. I know I’ll be prepared for it if it happens again.
Quick Tip - There is no right or wrong way to emotionally recover after a reaction. However, it is a good idea to retrace your steps and figure out exactly what happened to ensure that you can avoid that situation in the future.
When things go wrong
Not an Easy Recovery, by Bailey
Recovering from anaphylactic shock is different for everyone. But I think many would agree that the emotional recovery is far more difficult than recovering physically. When I was thirteen, I had an anaphylactic reaction to a cookie that contained one of my allergens. I did not recover well emotionally. After my reaction, I was paranoid that I was going to have another reaction and would have an anxiety attack every time I ate, even if the food was homemade. There were days when I just didn’t eat at all to save myself the exhaustion that came along with these anxiety attacks. In time, I got more confident with my allergies and curbed the anxiety. But it took a while for me.
Quick Tip - Talk to your friends and family after you’ve had an allergic reaction. It’s a time when everyone around you is likely on more of a high alert about food allergies and willing to go above and beyond from now on to help you stay safe.
What would you say? (Q&A)
Daniela, Erika, Karen and Sydney H.
Does an allergic reaction take a toll on you emotionally?
Daniela - After my first severe reaction, at age ten, I found that it took a bit of a toll. I was a little more nervous eating away from home for a week or so. My second severe reaction at age sixteen, however,