Holidays are usually synonymous with warmth, laughter, and perhaps a little too much pie. But for some families, gathering around the dining table is more like stepping into a wrestling ring. We expect the usual tension over politics or someone judging the dry turkey.
What we do not expect is a grown adult inventing a medical emergency based on a zombie video game.
A Reddit user recently took to the platform to share a bewildering Thanksgiving tale. It involved a sister-in-law, a pot of stuffing, and a sudden, life-threatening “allergy” to an ingredient she had happily devoured for years.
Most readers expected a typical story of a picky eater looking for attention. Instead, the update turned this kitchen drama into a psychological thriller involving TikTok theories and fungal apocalypses. Grab a snack (maybe not mushrooms), and read on.
The Story:
UPDATE:
Okay, we really need a moment to process this update. We often hear about relatives pretending to have allergies because they simply dislike onions or hate cilantro. That is annoying, certainly, but it is somewhat standard behavior for picky eaters trying to be polite.
This, however, is on a completely different level. The sister-in-law was not just being fussy; she genuinely believed that eating a cooked vegetable would result in a sci-fi video game infection. It is terrifying to think that social media algorithms can influence an adult’s reality so deeply.
Expert Opinion
This story highlights a growing phenomenon where digital content significantly warps our real-world anxieties. Psychologists often refer to this as “cyberchondria” or media-induced anxiety, where unverified medical information online leads to intense, irrational fears.
In this specific case, the sister-in-law is suffering from what appears to be a specific phobia triggered by “doomscrolling.” She conflated the fiction of The Last of Us, where cordyceps fungi turn humans into zombies, with real-world biology. It is a harsh reminder that misinformation is not just a political issue; it impacts our daily mental health.
According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, nearly 40 million adults suffer from anxiety disorders. Specific phobias regarding food are often linked to a fear of contamination or illness (sometimes called ARFID – Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), though usually, it presents in childhood.
Dr. R. Y. Langham, a family psychologist, suggests that lying about an allergy is often a defense mechanism. “When people feel their fears will be mocked, they invent a ‘socially acceptable’ reason to opt out, like a medical allergy,” she explains. “The lie protects them from shame.”
The OP’s brother did the right thing by finally admitting the truth. It turns the situation from a “rude guest” problem into a mental health concern. The sister-in-law needs compassion and fact-checking from a medical professional, not just a stuffing recipe.
Community Opinions
The internet was united in confusion and frustration. Most commenters felt that claiming a medical condition to mask a preference (or a fear) is unfair to those who carry EpiPens.
These users pointed out the danger of crying wolf in the medical world.
Commenters were quick to note that real allergies usually come with strict safety protocols, which the sister-in-law ignored.
Some tried to see both sides, acknowledging that allergies, and phobias, can be tricky to navigate.
Most agreed that if she felt foolish, it was because she was caught in a fib.
How to Navigate a Situation Like This
Dealing with erratic food behaviors during the holidays requires the patience of a saint. If you are the host, establish a “food transparency” policy weeks in advance. Send a group text asking for verified allergies and dislikes separately.
When a guest drops a surprise restriction on you mid-cooking, pause and breathe. Address it logically rather than emotionally. You might say, “I am concerned because you’ve eaten this before. If this is a new allergy, we need to know so we don’t cross-contaminate other dishes.” This puts the focus on safety rather than accusation.
If you are the one with the phobia: just say you don’t like it. Most hosts would rather set aside a plain portion of potatoes than wonder if they are going to send you to the hospital. Honesty prevents embarrassment every single time.
Conclusion
This Thanksgiving disaster teaches us a valuable lesson about the power of the internet and the importance of truth at the dinner table. The OP was simply cooking stuffing; the sister-in-law was fighting imaginary zombies.
It serves as a gentle reminder to fact-check what we see on TikTok before ruining a family meal. Was the sister-in-law’s fear valid enough to lie, or should she have just passed the plate?
