My GERD symptoms get worse with stress and anxiety! My anxiety manifests itself as physical symptoms a lot, actually -- GERD, heart palpitations, a panic attack once.... Though I do still have some GERD all the time so it's not just anxiety for me. Gastrointestinal problems (including GERD symptoms) are actually quite common with anxiety. I have a friend who also has a lot of stomach problems when she's stressed.

If this happens to you a lot, are you seeking treatment for your anxiety? I also wonder if some sort of as-needed treatment may work for your occasional GERD symptoms? OTC antacids, etc...

Nerves can definitely make GERD worse. Kind of reminds me when I was little or anytime when you get not so good news and your tummy gets all uncomfy. I am not sure it can outright cause it..I just know it definitely makes mine worse. That's why I try to keep my life somewhat low stress when I can or else I flare up.

YES YES YES!!!!GERD can def be made worse by anxiety or any kind of stress. Mine was finaly under control. I was off all my meds and now it is back with a vengence. i do not want to restart my meds but I might have to because there is so much stress in my life .

Yes, anxiety can play a role. I have emphysema and noticed that within 30 minutes of taking my anxiety meds, if I had heartburn at the time, I could feel the heartburn going away. I know my anxiety meds help relieve my heartburn.

Anxiety and stress are my GERD kick-starters. Definately. Definately. Definately.

My doctor told me to avoid stress. There were three people in my life who were causing me incredible stress. So I went to them and said "if you continue to stress me, you will cause me physical pain and that is not acceptable". Of course it's not acceptable at the best of times. But it knocks people out when you say that.

Anyway the short answer to your question is YES.

Jennie....yes. I have GERD and until the past 3yrs...very little trouble with it...if any. Then because of stress, anxiety, & worry..I have had major symptoms. I am now taking meds for GERD and have started changing my diet. Also started counseling to address my stress-related-issues. I think that for many people this (stress/anxiety) is the prelude to GERD. GERD is not prevalent at all in non-industrialized countries...even where people eat hot, hot foods...they don't have GERD like we do in the U.S. This lends itself to high stress, bad diet, overweight/obesity, and physical inactivity.

Oh , yes I do also.I have severe Anxiety disorder and mine does get worse with Gerds. I hate having this cause it makes me worse....

My GERD started with anxiety actually. I was in nursing school and very stressed and BAM- along came GERD. Of course, being a nursing student, I was self-diagnosing myself with everything under the sun which only stressed me more. Unfortunately, even though I'm out of school now and less stressed- it hasn't gone away. But I am a very high anxiety person.

going to start counseling today to address anixety which is relaterd to a number of things in my life. I NEVER had GERD symptoms like I do now. Could eat pretty much anything and no GERD. But stress/anxiety has been really high for me over past 3-4 years and think is not has caught up with me.

i do believe that diet and other things play a major role, but i believe that stress/anxiety is the # 1 factor. there is plenty of evidence to suggest this as many other countries (where they eat and drink just as bad as americans) do not have GERD like we do in our country. so...my recommendation is to try and get stress and anxiety under control as best you can. combine this with diet and medication for some and i think this might be one of the best answers.

i am just so frustrated because at a certain level i think i have done this to myself! it totally sucks!

It's not all your fault. But I'm glad you're starting counselling. It doesn't solve everything, but it will help. You can understand better what's happening and be more of a boss of your own life. (I don't know if that makes sense. It might later on.)

Good luck & kudos to you. I can see that you're working very hard on your health. Everything that you do will help towards feeling better.

Ciao.

I agree, anxiety is definately my number one GERD trigger!

Yeah I understand the frustration too. I feel I have done this to myself not knowing how to deal with all the stress and anxiety in my life and lead to panic attacks, GERD, hiatel hernia from carrying alot of anger, etc. Now 10 years later I still deal with the aftermath. But thankfully for me and natural nutrition, supplements, and cognitive behavioral therapy things are looking brighter! Best to you all.

My hh and gerd have come back in full force. I was originally diagnosed w these 13 years ago. I have had 3 really bad ATTACKS "as I call them" over those past 13 years. Food doesn't really bother me but the STRESS/ANXIETY/and NERVOUSNESS does. I lost my job 1.5 years ago (then got it back ) and that caused so many issues. Then when I got my job back it became really really stressful . Then I separated w my best friend of 17 years , my apartment flooded , and I had surgery for a woman's problem. NOW I AM A MESS !!!! Plus my job AGAIN is SOOO STRESSFUL !!

I am trying to eat really small and fat free meals.
I am going to bed with an empty stomach.
I am trying to keep my stress down as much as possible.

I hope to get counseling/medication for anxiety soon.