Breaking the cycle: Psychological and social dimensions of pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders

Figure 4 Short-term psychological impacts of functional gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children. Emotional distress: Excessive crying, irritability, difficulty soothing, anxiety. Sleep disturbances: Frequent waking, difficulty falling asleep, restless sleep. Feeding aversion: Refusal to eat, poor weight gain, anxiety around feeding. Social withdrawal: Avoidance of social situations, isolation. Developmental delays: Delayed physical growth, cognitive development, and motor development. Somatization: Increased complaints of stomach pain and discomfort. Behavioral issues: Temper tantrums, restlessness, oppositional behavior. GER: Gastroesophageal reflux.