Depression is an allergy to feelings.

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Having depression doesn’t mean I’m always depressed, in the same way the being allergic to bee stings doesn’t mean a person is in constant anaphylactic shock. It’s only when they get stung that it’s a problem.

Likewise:

A person with a bee sting allergy can get stung at any time. Their allergy is not dependent on their life circumstances – they could win the lottery and they’d still be allergic to bee stings. Their allergy isn’t negated by terrible world events or the fact that there are many people worse off than them, and it’s unhelpful to them to suggest that it is.

Being allergic to bee stings isn’t indulgent or selfish. It’s a chemical anomaly. If an allergic person is stung by a bee it’s important they don’t feel afraid or ashamed to get help. Treatments that may relieve a bee sting to a person who is not allergic to bee stings, such as vinegar or spit on a dock leaf, are not effective to a person who IS allergic to bee stings. Those people need an epi pen, and in some cases professional medical attention.  

You can’t snap out of an allergy, and a positive mental attitude, though helpful, is not an antidote to a bee sting if you’re allergic to bee stings.

Being allergic to bee stings doesn’t make you a bad friend, or parent, or employee.  
A person who is allergic to bee stings may encounter a bee, and not get stung. For example, if a friend or colleague is allergic to bee stings, and fears they are at risk of being stung they may say: “Hi, I’m allergic to bee stings, and there’s a bee in my office. I’m going to close the window to prevent more bees from coming in. I would also like to remove this enormous bouquet of flowers from my desk.” Then you could say “Sure thing. I’ll put the bouquet in my office instead. I love hyacinths”. 

​If a person with a bee sting allergy hasn’t been stung for a while, that doesn’t mean they’re no
longer allergic to bee stings. Though they may take every precaution, no one is guaranteed lifelong bee sting evasion. However, no one should live in fear of their own chemical imbalances. By encouraging people to talk openly about their allergies, and educating others about what to do if they encounter someone having an allergic reaction, we can make our gardens safer for everyone, and we can all enjoy some time in the sun.  

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