The Mental Side of Food Allergies No One Talks About with Dr. Amanda Whitehouse

What if the hardest part of living with food allergies isn't the food — it's what's happening in your mind and body?In this episode, Dr. Doug sits down with Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, a psychologist and food allergy mom of 15 years, to talk about something most people in the food allergy world don't fully address: the mental and emotional toll. Amanda shares her own journey navigating her son's food allergy diagnosis, seeking out OIT treatment before it was mainstream, and ultimately turning her experience into a career helping other families cope. Together, they break down the difference between food allergy anxiety and actual trauma — and why that distinction matters more than you think. Amanda explains the therapeutic tools available (CBT, ACT, exposure therapy, somatic work, and nervous system regulation) and why finding the right provider relationship is just as important as picking the right treatment. They also get real about the emotional weight providers carry and how compassion — not just empathy — is the key to avoiding burnout. Whether you're a food allergy parent feeling overwhelmed by treatment options, a patient carrying years of unprocessed fear, or a provider looking for better ways to support your patients, this episode is one you don't want to skip.🩺 Become a patient at GAIN: myimmunenetwork.com📱 Follow Dr. Doug Jones: @drdougjones on Instagram and TikTok🌐 Learn more: drdougjones.com