Seasonal allergies could be linked to a higher prevalence of mood disorders including anxiety and depression, according to a May 8 report from The New York Times.
More than 1 in 4 Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, according to the CDC. Tree pollen allergies are most common between March and April, while grass pollen allergies are more common in June and July, resulting in a variety of symptoms including congestion, sneezing and itchy eyes, nose and throat among those affected.
These symptoms can affect a person's sleep, energy levels, mental sharpness and productivity, would could lead to adverse effects on mental well-being, according David Gudis, MD, chief of the division of rhinology and anterior skull base surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City, who spoke to the Times.
People with allergies are one and a half times more likely to have major depression, while other studies have found a link between allergic rhinitis — the medical term for hay fever — and a higher risk of anxiety, the report said.