Hi Reader,

Let's talk about online health groups.

Inevitably, this topic comes up in my work with clients, as well as in my community presentations.....often. That's because research shows that many use online health groups and social media as a main source of health information. In fact, this Pew Research article shares the following related stats:

• 77% say they began at a search engine such as Google
• 13% say they began at a health information site like WebMD
• 2% say they started their research at a more general site like Wikipedia
• 1% say they started at a social network site like Facebook

Sometimes the topic of online health groups comes up because someone is sharing something they've learned in an allergy group. Other times I bring it up to help someone evaluate whether the online groups they're a member of are impacting their food allergy management approach and/or allergy-related anxiety.

But no matter why the topic comes up, when someone asks me if online health groups are helpful for those managing an allergic condition, my standard response is:

Yes and no.

You see, whether online health groups are helpful to someone or not depends on a lot of factors, and therefore, there's no definitive answer to be given. Rather, everyone needs to determine on their own how the online health groups they're part of impacts their allergy management.

As such, below are (6) factors to consider in order to evaluate which, if any, groups are useful for you:

1. GROUP THEME & FLAVOR. Each group tends to have its own theme, flavor, and purpose. Maybe it's an allergen, age, location or topic-specific group. Make sure to identify the focus and goals for each group you join so that you have accurate group expectations.
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2. GOALS FOR BEING IN THE GROUP. Speaking of goals, think of what you'd like to get out of being a member of each group. Are you looking for support? Information? Tips and guidance? Knowing your own goals will help you evaluate which groups are the best fit for you.
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3. YOUR EMOTIONS (AND OTHERS'). Support groups, especially ones pertaining to topics close to the heart, such as life-impacting chronic conditions, may be filled with many emotions - both positive and negative. Being aware of your own and others' emotions when interacting with group members goes a long way. It can be helpful to take a moment before responding to comments in order to assess what the person is asking or sharing, and what the goal of your reply will be.
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4. INFORMATION & SUPPORT BALANCE. Ideally, online health-focused support groups will have a balance between anecdotal experiences and evidence-based facts. Anecdotes and personal stories can be useful because they share a sense of common humanity - or the feeling that you're not alone in your experiences. However, especially when emotionally-charged topics are explored, it's important that evidence-based information is also present or easily accessible, as this can serve as a grounding anchor. Without that evidence-based information anchor, it's very easy to over-generalize and catastrophize solely based on others' experiences. Therefore, if you find that you're often feeling more anxious or upset after visiting a particular online health group, evaluate if it's the right group for you right now.
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5. YOUR OWN HEALTH JOURNEY. Knowing where you are on your own food allergy journey helps identify which groups may be most beneficial for you in the present moment. Your needs when initially diagnosed are likely not the same as your needs after a few years of experience. Additionally, as you gain more confidence navigating life with food allergies, consider staying in online health groups as a mentor to members who are just starting their journey.
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6. LESS MIGHT JUST BE MORE. Is there an ideal number of online health groups you should be joining? Nope! Initially, you may join many groups, but as time goes on, you'll learn which ones you prefer. Online health and support groups are more about quality than quantity - so don't feel you have to be a member of any and all food allergy support groups! In fact, being a member of tons of groups may actually fuel the stress by exposing you to TOO much anecdotal information without enough evidence-based information to balance things. Therefore, narrowing it down to a handful of trusted groups that you feel check all the boxes is better than automatically requesting to join all relevant groups.

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As I wrap up this week's FAC Corner email, I'll leave you with this quote from Adam Grant:

This quote can be useful in remembering that it's okay to be flexible while managing allergies (even though anxious minds may not encourage it). It's okay to decide that you need to alter your approach, use different resources, and change online health groups. It means you are open to learning how to live life the way YOU want to even with allergies!
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So glad to connect with you again! I love hearing from The FAC readers and am always open to responding to your emails, so don't be shy if you want to say hi!
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And as always, take good care of yourself - and each other.

Founder & CEO, The Food Allergy Counselor
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
AAAAI & ACAAI Allied Health Member

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DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the medical or mental healthcare advice of your own healthcare provider. By reading this email, the reader acknowledges that there is no therapist-patient relationship between them and the author(s). If you think you are observing a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 immediately.​
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