Worry Monster eats young patients’ troubles away

THE allergy team at Evelina London is using a fluffy toy known as a ‘Worry Monster’ to help children with severe allergies to manage anxieties they have about their condition.

When children visit the hospital’s allergy psychology clinic they are encouraged to write their worries on a piece of paper and put it in the Worry Monster’s mouth, which is then zipped shut as if it’s been eaten.

Dr Polly James, paediatric clinical psychologist at Evelina London, said: “Children with severe allergies and their families have to be very vigilant to avoid life-threatening allergic reactions. This can cause children to have anxieties and worries, especially around food, being different to their friends, or using an EpiPen, a device used to treat allergic reactions. These concerns can lead to emotional problems such as low mood, anger and frustration.

“The Worry Monster encourages children to express and overcome their worries in a way that’s accessible and relatable to them. When children visit our clinic they share some of their worries and see what concerns other children with allergies have put inside the toy. This helps them to process their worries and recognise that they share similar fears and anxieties to other children, so they feel less alone.

“It’s really fantastic to be able to use the Worry Monster as part of the service we provide. So many children and their families have been able to benefit from the Worry Monster, which has made a huge difference to their quality of life.”

Leanne Silver’s eight-year-old son Caiden attends the allergy psychology clinic because he has an egg, soya and nut allergy. She said: “Caiden loves using the Worry Monster. He doesn’t always feel comfortable discussing his problems so he finds it easier to write them down. Once he has written his worries we discuss them together and explore different ways to deal with them.

“Caiden had a lot of worries and concerns around reintroducing foods that he previously had an allergy to. But the Worry Monster has really helped him to express himself and come to terms with his allergies and his emotions, so he is now thankfully less worried about having to retry foods. The toy has been really great for Caiden. I really think all children with allergies or long-term health conditions can benefit from having one.”