Hello, Thanks for reaching out!
Your symptoms are real and distressing, and it is understandable that persistent throat pain for such a long duration has affected your mood. The referral to a psychiatrist does not mean the pain is “imaginary” or “only in the mind.” Many patients with long-standing acid reflux- related throat symptoms have a functional or hypersensitivity component along with reflux.
When pain persists despite adequate PPI treatment, possibilities include:
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) with heightened throat sensitivity
• Visceral hypersensitivity (throat nerves become over-responsive)
• Stress-related muscle tension around the throat and neck
• Co-existing anxiety or low mood, which amplifies pain perception
In such cases, acid alone is not the only driver of symptoms, which is why PPIs help temporarily but do not give lasting relief.
Next Steps
A psychiatrist can help by treating pain sensitisation and associated anxiety/depression
• Certain low-dose neuromodulator medicines (not sedatives) are commonly used to reduce throat pain sensitivity
• Stress-management and relaxation techniques (especially throat/neck relaxation) play an important role
• Continue gastroenterology follow-up, but focus on a combined gut- brain approach
• Do not stop PPIs abruptly without medical advice- tapering is often needed
Health Tips
• Chronic pain often worsens mood, and low mood further worsens pain- this is a treatable cycle
• Being lean and having a healthy lifestyle does not rule out reflux hypersensitivity
• Avoid repeatedly focusing on the pain sensation- it increases nerve sensitisation
• With proper treatment, significant long-term improvement is very much possible
For more queries, Reach out for an online or in-person consultation:
📞 NEURONAL FIX CLINIC, RAMPRASTHA COLONY, Ghaziabad, (near Shreshtha Vihar, Delhi)- +91- 74XX52XX97XX67XX61