Question
A five-and-a-half-year-old girl frequently complains of stomach pain before school in the morning, but is pain-free if she doesn’t go to school. Medical tests showed inflammation of the mesenteric lymph nodes, and since she has a history of fluid sensitivity, medication was chosen as the treatment. The girl often says she doesn’t like going to school, yet she gets along well with her teachers and classmates at the nursery. Is this stomach pain due to psychological factors? What might be the possible causes, and how can parents help their child overcome her dislike for school?
Answer
The girl’s stomach pain may be caused by psychological factors. Reasons could include excessive parental concern about her health and lifestyle, and previously allowing her to avoid school because she was not comfortable with nursery life, leading to a fear of school. Over time, this psychological stress may lead to genuine physical reactions and a decline in physical condition. Solutions include reducing excessive attention and insisting that she attend school to help her adapt to nursery life, thus alleviating the symptoms.