Troubles des conduites alimentaires et allergies alimentaires

Abstract

Many eating disorders are observed in food allergy practice. It is common to see patients avoiding many foods because they have been poorly informed of cross-reactions that are not clinically relevant. For children, parental anxiety may multiply irrational avoidance. The diagnosis of Münchausen syndrome by proxy should be envisaged, although it is rare. Abnormal eating behavior in children can be related to a Pavlovian reaction of disgust, to anxiety or depression, a perturbed relationship with the mother or simply due to an aversion to new foods. In adults, food avoidance is linked to poor interpretation of positive laboratory tests indicating cross-reactions that are clinically irrelevant. Irritable bowel syndrome results in food avoidance even where food allergy is poorly documented. Fibromyalgia also leads to unnecessary avoidance diets. True neurosis (obsession and anxiety neurosis) may occur. Patients taking alternative medicines or belonging to certain sects often follow aberrant avoidance diets. All patients should undergo a nutritional evaluation. Psychologists, psychiatrists and dieticians should also be involved in treatment. Allergists should not limit themselves to simply eliminating food allergy to a given food allergy, but should make patients aware that problems arise from “not” eating different foods. Accurate tests, detailed information and careful monitoring of proposed changes in diet should result in more rational eating habits. Established neurosis will not improve, since patients are in denial about these disorders, psychiatrists know little about them.