I had my first "attack" of GERD in my early thirties during a time when I had a very stressful job. A doctor prescribed Zantac for about eight weeks and the symptoms eventually went away about the time I decided I needed to quit the job and move on. Stress was definitely involved there.
I went through two pregnancies without symptoms of GERD and then developed constant heartburn again at age fifty one. PPI's kept the symptoms at bay for about two years until recently when I decided I wanted to get off the PPI I had been taking. I have become resigned that I may now have reflux symptoms forever or for as long as I live. I got off the PPI's four weeks ago and I am still having heartburn several times per week even on Zantac, which is now over the counter and I am taking again.
I guess, GERD can sometimes come and go, but most people experience it as a chronic problem (unfortunately).