Question
The girl, 5 years and 6 months old, often complains of stomach pain in the morning before school, but the pain goes away when she doesn’t have to attend. She has a history of being allergic to intravenous drips. Examination revealed mesenteric lymph node inflammation, and she is currently undergoing medication treatment. The child shows a dislike for school but gets along well with teachers and students in kindergarten. What should be done in this situation?
Answer
The child may be experiencing abdominal pain due to psychological factors, which could be stemming from fear of school or discomfort with the new environment. Prolonged psychological stress may lead to genuine physiological responses that affect the child’s health. As parents, it is important to reduce excessive attention to the child’s body and daily life, and to insist on sending them to school to help them adapt to kindergarten life. This can reduce psychological stress and thus resolve the issue of false abdominal pain.