Mia's MessageBoard

Psychosomatic Illness

Psychosomatic is the medical term used to explain the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety. Psychosomatic symptoms and illnesses are on the rise in children. The term is given to symptoms such as:  abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, chest pain, fatigue, limb pain, back pain, worry about health and difficulty breathing.

On medical examination, from which there is no organic cause for symptoms to be found, it is therefore likely they come from our thoughts and mental state. The physical symptoms are real, not imagined, but are the physiological response to the mental state. In some cases, children can get really anxious about their health and make it worse. The key is Psychoeducation and teaching kids about the stress response in their body, including symptoms and chemical response. Then teaching the child some relaxation and thinking strategies to reduce them.

Psychosomatic symptoms and illness can often lead to attendance issues at school.

This resource below is excellent for parents to understand anxiety and how to explain to their children what is happening in their brain and body.

Please contact the welfare team if you need any support.

Mia Sartori  -  Student Welfare Officer