Final answer:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is associated with psychological factors like anxiety, stress, and depression. Anxiety can manifest in the GI tract as digestive symptoms, influenced by neurotransmitters like serotonin. Treatment often includes addressing the psychological causes alongside managing the physical symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The motility disorder strongly associated with anxiety, stress, or depression is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). This chronic gastrointestinal disease is influenced by the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is majorly synthesized in neurons that innervate the smooth muscle cells in the gastrointestinal tract. An imbalance in serotonin can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms such as an "upset stomach" or constipation when experiencing stress. The Autonomic Nervous System plays a role in conditions like motion sickness, demonstrating the connection between the brain and gut. Moreover, the incidence of anxiety disorders in the United States is quite high, with a significant proportion of the adult population affected by disorders that can lead to symptoms like agitation, sleep problems, nausea, and vomiting.
These symptoms can be exacerbated or triggered by psychological stressors due to the intimate connection of the brain-gut axis. Anxiety can manifest physically in the gut because the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are heavily influenced by stress and emotions through synaptic coupling, affecting motility and causing digestive symptoms. As such, addressing the underlying psychological factors such as anxiety and stress is essential in the treatment and management of IBS and similar motility disorders.