I have a history of depression, and I frequently experience heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, esophageal inflammation, difficulty swallowing, stomach or intestinal ulcers, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Can depression contribute to or worsen these gastrointestinal symptoms?
Yes, depression can contribute to and worsen these gastrointestinal symptoms. Stress and mood disturbances affect the brain–gut connection, which can increase stomach acid production and alter bowel movements, leading to problems such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophagitis, peptic ulcers, and IBS. Depression can also heighten pain perception and delay healing of the digestive lining, so managing both the mood disorder and the gastrointestinal symptoms together is often more effective than treating either condition alone.