The Link Between Depression and Digestive Issues

Depression and gastrointestinal (GI) distress commonly occur in the same individuals. Certain neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals, responsible for regulating mood also control the way individuals experience pain. Doctors have found that antidepressant medication used to treat the chemical imbalance that causes depression also relieves GI problems.

Comorbidity

• The California Department of Public Health advises health care providers that depressed clients experience may upset stomach, throwing up, or heartburn as comorbidities, or conditions that occur simultaneously with the mood disorder.

Somatization

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness explains women with depression disorders may experience somatization, the manifestation of physical symptoms due to emotional distress.

Stress

• The Mayo Clinic reports depression and stomach upset may occur together in response to stress.

Recovery

• The University of Texas Southwest Medical School, Dallas finds the degree of recovery from depression and stomach problems are directly related, suggesting improvement of either condition results in correction of the other.

Treatment

• Yale University School of Nursing recommends the use of antidepressant medications that affect serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters associated with pain regulation, to treat GI problems and depression disorders simultaneously.