Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in childhood phobic anxiety disorder

Abstract

About 50% of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients are symptomatic and affected by psychosocial factors. Anxiety can cause GERD through the brain-gut-axis mechanism. A female patient, aged 6 years, was consulted by the Psychiatry Department with complaints of fear. The patient said she was afraid to go to the doctor for fear of tooth extraction. The patient said she had been hospitalized several times because of nausea and vomiting. The patient did not dare to eat for fear that her teeth would hurt again. About 4 months ago the patient was hit by a swing in kindergarten which caused her gums to swell, bleed, and her front teeth were loose and broken. Then the patient was invited to the dentist at the public health centre. The patient's mother said that at that time the patient was scared when her teeth were extracted and it was still bleeding. The patient ran out of the dentist's office and cried. After being forced by her mother, the patient eventually resumed treatment. Then when she got home the patient did not want to eat or drink. Then a few days after that the patient had nausea and vomiting.