Celiac Disease and Its Links to Mental Health, Bullying, and Problematic Eating Behaviors: A Narrative Review with a Focus on Gender Differences
Jessica Victoria Rabinovich
03/09/2026
Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease where damage to the small intestine and malabsorption of nutrients can occur because of the consumption of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, or rye. CD is associated with poorer mental health in children, adolescents, young adults, and adults compared to individuals without CD. In women with CD, mental health outcomes tend to be worse than men, particularly increased anxiety and lower psychological well being. This review aims to understand the burden of mental health issues related to CD, particularly anxiety, depression, disordered eating behaviors, bullying and social challenges, and gender-based differences. This review is based on published literature from 1998 and 2025, identified through searches on PubMed. This information is organized in tables for comparison. People with CD are likely to develop anxiety, depression, and problematic eating behaviors. Bullying and social challenges may lead to difficulties in following a GFD. Additionally, this is linked to self-percipitation and performance in children and adolescents with CD. These challenges affect the mental well-being and may influence the ways in which people cope with the challenges such as abnormal eating behaviors.