Hay Fever Worsens Depression

Filed in archive Hay Fever , Studies on May 26, 2010

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People with depression, mood disorder or bipolar disorder who are allergic to tree or ragweed pollen experience worse depression when exposed to those allergens.

Such were the findings of a preliminary research by a team from University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Some studies even suggest that people with hay fever are prone to mood disorders. Thus, treatment of the allergies may alleviate depression symptoms in such people, especially during peak allergy season. Treating the allergies may also reduce the medication needed for depression.

The above findings were presented at a news conference at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

According to Jeffrey Borenstein, MD, chairman of the APA's communication council and medical director of Holliswood Hospital in Queens, N.Y.:

"If this information is confirmed, I would want to keep an eye out for worsening of symptoms during allergy season in my patients. I might be able to avoid increasing their medication by treating the allergy."