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Psychopathology masquerading as food allergy
1National Jewish Hospital and Research Center, Denver, Colorado.
The Journal of Family Practice
|February 1, 1988
Summary
Vague symptoms misdiagnosed as food allergy were actually psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety. Psychiatric intervention led to sustained improvement in all patients, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Allergology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Food allergy diagnosis requires demonstrating a clear link between food ingestion and an immunological reaction.
- Vague gastrointestinal and other symptoms are sometimes misattributed to food allergies.
Observation:
- Three patients with symptoms initially diagnosed as food allergy showed no evidence of actual food allergy.
- Two patients presented with depression and psychotic thinking; the third had anxiety and depression.
Findings:
- Psychiatric diagnosis and intervention led to significant symptom improvement in all three patients.
- Treatment included antidepressant and antidepressant-antipsychotic medications.
- Symptomatic improvement was maintained at a two-year follow-up.
Implications:
- Anxiety and depression can mimic symptoms of food allergy, necessitating thorough psychiatric evaluation.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial to avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions and ensure appropriate mental health treatment.
- This case series underscores the importance of considering psychopathology in patients with unexplained somatic symptoms.