Topic - Stomach Aches and Anxiety. Kids with chronic stomach aches that have no underlying medical cause may really have something going on after all.
When a large group of kids with stomach aches were studied, half of them developed anxiety and depression that persisted into adulthood even though their gut pain disappeared.
Anxiety causes adrenalin to flood the bloodstream which enters the stomach causing nausea and a bitter taste in the mouth. Anxiety also contributes to constipation.
Since kids don’t know how to describe their anxiety, they manifest those feelings in physical discomfort. They only know that their stomachs hurt, but can’t explain anything else.
Children are great observers of life, but don’t correctly interpret the events they experience.
All behavior has a purpose. Explore the reasons behind Brandon’s tummy aches. If you ask him directly, he might not confess to anything out of fear, confusion or shame. Ask indirect questions to get information.
