Connection between allergies and mood

Many look forward to the arrival of spring and spending more time outdoors in the warm breezy weather, with trees blossoming and birds chirping. For the rest of us, it is a season of itchy eyes, runny nose, sinus congestion and fits of sneezing.

Seasonal allergies are a result of pollen spores from grass and trees. One in five Americans (according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation) has an allergic reaction to the spores, which creates an immune response mimicking the symptoms of a cold virus. Trees that are known to cause severe allergies include oak, olive, elm, birch, ash, hickory, poplar, sycamore, maple, cypress and walnut. So those pretty blossoms that signal spring is here are the culprits of misery for those with sensitivities.

Allergies can prove to be more than just an annoyance for people afflicted with the condition. There is a direct relationship between allergies and mood. If you are habitually plagued with the irritants and congestion of allergies, you tend to be sleep-deprived, lethargic and fatigued. Additionally, sufferers tend to be shut-ins during the spring when pollen counts are high. The combination of fatigue and lack of sunlight is a formula for depression.

Of course, not all people with allergies suffer from depression, but according to research conducted by Dr. Teodor Postolache at the University of Maryland published in 2008, allergic reactions are a risk factor for developing depression. The researchers found that depression measurements rose during allergy season and linked the two with fatigue and low mood.

Any kind of chronic illness is draining and can wear people down. The trick is pinpointing the cause and trying to remedy it. Over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines can usually provide symptom relief for allergy sufferers. A long-term option is to visit an allergist and take allergy shots, which over time can desensitize the body to the offending allergens.

Here are some tips to minimize pollen exposure:

• Keep windows closed to prevent pollen from drifting into your home.

• Minimize early-morning activity when pollen is at its peak — between 5-10 a.m.

• Keep your car windows closed when traveling.

• Stay indoors when the pollen count is reported to be high, and on windy days when pollen may be present in higher amounts in the air.

• Take a vacation during the height of the pollen season to a more pollen-free area, such as the beach or sea.

• Avoid mowing the lawn, or wear a mask when doing so.

• Machine-dry bedding and clothing. Pollen may collect in laundry if it is hung outside to dry.

If you feel you suffer from symptoms of depression, it may be helpful to seek professional guidance by talking with a counselor. The Center for Counseling, Growth and Development at Jewish Family Services has licensed mental health counselors that offer results-oriented therapy and problem-solving skills to those struggling with depression, anxiety and life transitions.

JFS offers confidential counseling in a caring environment at two convenient locations: 2100 Lee Road in Winter Park, and in their new Southwest Orlando location at 11184 S. Apopka Vineland Road. For a consultation at either site, please call 407-644-7593, ext. 231.

Pam Goldsmith, MA, LMHC is a licensed mental health counselor at Jewish Family Services.