Anxiety In Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

Abstract

This study aimed to reveal anxiety in 3 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This study used a qualitative method with a case-study approach. Data were obtained through interviews and observations and were analyzed using content analysis. The results showed that the subjects experienced anxiety after being faced with a stressor that was considered severe, namely the death of a family member and facing a new job. This condition stimulated excessive thoughts about death, thoughts about the inability to do and complete the work, and carry out daily activities, hence such negative thoughts often cause difficulty concentrating, difficulty focusing, and confusion, often forgetting. These thoughts cause feelings of worry and alertness to crowds, and other social situations as well as to things that have not yet happened, such as death. Then these feelings trigger the emergence of GERD symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, heartburn, cough, fever, dizziness, frequent loss of consciousness, excessive cold sweat, causing withdrawal behavior from social life, and difficulty sleeping. The results of this study are expected to be used as information to develop strategies for overcoming GERD, in addition to medical efforts.