The nervous and allergic child: Food allergy and behavioural problems in mid-20th century US

Abstract

In the United States (US) during the middle of the 20th century, the chronic health problems of children – both physical and mental – could be explained in disparate ways. On the one hand, the emergence of psychosomatic theories of medicine meant that many symptoms thought to be allergic in nature, ranging from asthma to eczema, were instead blamed on psychological factors, often relating to the child’s relationship with his or her parents (usually the mother). On the other hand, many allergists believed that many of the psychological problems of children were actually rooted in allergy, usually to foods. By the 1980s, however, both approaches were on the wane. This article explores the development of these very different understandings of mental health and allergy, ultimately questioning why they had to be seen as incommensurable with one another.