A drug allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a nonprescription, prescription, or herbal medicine. Patients suffering from drug allergies experience various physiological and psychological symptoms. Hsi Liu(劉曦), a counseling psychologist, shared her drug allergy experiences and how to rebuild psychological safety.
 
Patients suffering from drug allergies undergo physiological symptoms. For instance, some may develop cornea damage, resulting in poor vision and a continual reliance on eye drops. Others may face skin rashes, skin fester, or impaired kidney or liver function.
 
Taking ibuprofen, a common painkiller, and receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, Liu suffered from a swollen eyelid, difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and other symptoms that required an emergency room visit. The traumatic event triggered anxiety and panic, causing her to be afraid to take any medication for half a year.
 
Liu mentioned in addition to the primary loss of physical health, drug allergy patients may also experience secondary losses, such as changes in interpersonal relationships and lifestyle. Frequent and accumulating losses can be overwhelming, resulting in emotional reactions like fear, hurt, anxiety, depression, and anger. Traumatic experiences can trigger anxiety, guilt, helplessness, a sense of unreality, and regret. She reminded these reactions are common, and it is important to acknowledge our struggles, recognizing our emotional, cognitive, physiological, and behavioral responses.
 
“Many patients with drug allergies and injuries also experience psychological issues. These patients often isolate themselves in small, controlled spaces, leading to social detachment,” Chi-Ping Chang(張啟彬), the chairman of the Drug Allergy Care Association(藥物過敏關懷協會), said in a health conference. “Early intervention and proactive referral to counseling and psychotherapy are crucial to address their psychological challenges and overall well-being.”
 
4 Steps to Rebuild Psychological Safety
The first step involves maintaining physical and mental mastery through regular sleep, proper diet, and exercise. Understanding coping mechanisms, self-acceptance, and managing internal roles are essential for recovery.
 
The second step focuses on surrounding self-control by actively establishing a safer living environment, such as undergoing allergen, genetic, and metabolic testing.
 
The third step involves creating a self-care plan, carrying a list of drug allergies, and sharing it with emergency contacts or friends who can provide assistance and know how to handle situations during an allergic event.
 
Lastly, social support is vital in building relationships with empathetic individuals who can offer help and resources while avoiding negative influences. Apart from providing psychological support, a supportive community can foster a sense of control and security through peer support.
 
Liu emphasized that the recovery process might take time and happen gradually. Despite mood swings, focusing on progress is essential instead of getting stuck in negative feelings. Recognizing positive steps, such as becoming more aware of drug allergies, accepting feelings of sadness, finding time to relax, and cultivating positive thoughts, can be beneficial for the recovery journey.
 
Reference:
https://news.gbimonthly.com/tw/article/show.php?num=56902&page=1&category=&kw=%E5%BF%83%E7%90%86

[Editor: Shirley Cheung]