Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Can Strain Mental Health — Here’s How to Cope
Living With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

The Emotional Toll of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE): Mental Health, Stigma, and Finding Support

The Emotional Toll of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE): Mental Health, Stigma, and Finding Support
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Published on November 13, 2025
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As a chronic immune system disease, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is characterized by symptoms like trouble swallowing, chest pain, and regurgitation of undigested food.

 But the condition can come with emotional challenges as well, especially when symptoms persist or become intense. EoE is linked to an increased risk for mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and the eating disorder ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder), which involves limiting food consumption in a way that can negatively affect your nutrition.

"This is a chronic illness that often comes with stress, particularly because those with EoE have to manage food choices on a daily basis," says Felice Schnoll-Sussman, MD, a gastroenterologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian in New York City. "Over time, even if the condition is managed well, that can affect emotional well-being.”

Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Mental Health Issues: What’s the Link?

Many kinds of chronic illness can increase the risk of emotional distress, particularly those that cause pain or discomfort, and EoE is no exception, says Hannah Holmes, PhD, a clinical health psychologist in private practice in Boone, North Carolina, who specializes in anxiety and chronic pain.

This can be amplified if it takes time to arrive at a correct diagnosis, she adds. That's not unusual for the condition; research suggests that it takes on average between four and six years after symptoms start to get an EoE diagnosis.

 That can result in frustration and feelings of helplessness while waiting for answers, says Dr. Holmes.

"Even after you have a diagnosis of EoE, the prospect of managing symptoms and adapting your daily life to prevent and address symptoms can be extremely daunting," she notes. "All of this work, on top of the discomfort that comes with the condition, can be overwhelming and isolating."

The result is an increased risk of depression, research suggests. A study in Gastro Hep Advances linked the condition’s impact on everyday function, including sleep and social interactions, to symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with EoE. This impact may lead to restricting food intake, the researchers note, which can contribute to the development of an eating disorder.

Anxiety is another major factor for EoE. One study found that adults with the condition tend to be very focused on how it feels when they’re swallowing food. The researchers noted that this can lead to anxiety, which in turn is associated with worsened EoE symptoms.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Stigma

Another prominent factor for potential depression and anxiety is stigma, according to the study in Gastro Hep Advances. In that research, most participants reported that they felt discriminated against or viewed negatively because of the disease, most commonly from family, friends, classmates, and even some healthcare professionals.

"A condition like EoE impacts eating, which is something we all regularly have to do and that is closely connected to our social relationships and important occasions," says Holmes. "This can bring an element of anxiety to situations that are otherwise fun and meaningful, like going on a first date to a restaurant or celebrating a friend's birthday with a potluck."

Supporting Emotional Health With Eosinophilic Esophagitis

The strategies that tend to support emotional health for anyone — including those with EoE — can be helpful when dealing with the isolation, distress, and frustration seen with the condition, Holmes says. This includes:

  • Connect with loved ones.
  • Stay physically active.
  • Engage in activities that are pleasurable, meaningful, and provide a sense of accomplishment.
  • Have conversations about your health with friends and family.
  • Consider connecting with an in-person or online support group.
  • Get screened for depression and anxiety.
  • Implement relaxation strategies such as deep breathing.

Draw on your health team as well, adds Dr. Schnoll-Sussman. That can include talking with your primary care doctor, gastroenterologist, or other specialist to get a referral to a mental health provider who's experienced with chronic illness.

"The level of risk for depression, anxiety, and stress in those with EoE is well known among providers, so it wouldn't be surprising for your health team to hear that you need more support," she says. "Remember that mental health is part of managing your health overall, so don't hesitate to ask for help."

Psychotherapy can help you develop coping strategies to feel more in control, says Holmes. You'll also learn to notice early indications of distress, anxiety, and depression, so you can address those quickly and reduce the risk that they'll become unmanageable, she adds.

The Takeaway

  • Eosinophilic esophagitis comes with many physical symptoms, but the condition is also known to increase risk of depression, anxiety, and a specific type of eating disorder.
  • Delayed diagnosis can lead to feelings of frustration and helplessness, but even after a formal diagnosis, preventing and managing symptoms can feel overwhelming.
  • Support for emotional health with eosinophilic esophagitis is a key part of managing the condition, particularly since it's a chronic illness.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Eosinophilic esophagitis. Mayo Clinic. July 2, 2024.
  2. de Rooij WE et al. Mental distress among adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. Neurogastroenterology and Motility. December 31, 2020.
  3. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Cleveland Clinic. April 4, 2023.
  4. Muir AB et al. Eosinophilic esophagitis: early diagnosis is the key. Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology. August 15, 2019.
  5. Gold BD et al. Health-Related Quality of Life and Perceived Stigma in Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A Real-World, US, Web-Based Survey. Gastro Hep Advances. July 30, 2024.
  6. Taft TH et al. Esophageal Hypervigilance and Symptom Specific Anxiety in Patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis. Gastroenterology. June 19, 2021.
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Seth Gillihan, PhD

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Seth Gillihan, PhD, is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, who helps people find personal growth by making important changes in their thoughts and habits. His work includes books, podcasts, and one-on-one sessions. He is the the host of the Think Act Be podcast and author of multiple books on mindfulness and CBT, including Retrain Your Brain, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Made Simple, and Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

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