Q Along with indigestion, I feel anxious and depressed. Is this also related?
A Over 50% of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorder also experience anxiety and depression, and they influence each other through the gut-brain axis. When digestive treatment is combined with addressing psychological stability, both often improve together.
Detailed Answer
The gut and brain communicate bidirectionally through nerves, immunity, and hormones, so when the gut is uncomfortable, emotions become sensitive, and conversely anxiety and depression make the gut more sensitive—a vicious cycle. In fact, the rate of accompanying anxiety and depression in functional gastrointestinal disorder patients is significantly higher than in the general population, and integrated treatment addressing both together is more effective than treating each separately.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In herbal prescriptions, we combine herbs that stabilize the nerves and reduce stress responses (such as Polygala, Acorus, Ziziphus seed) with digestive prescriptions. Acupuncture also uses mind-body calming acupoints together to address both anxiety/depression and digestive symptoms.
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