ABSTRACT
We’ve started this chapter with a physical complaint because it’s really common for children (and all people, in fact) to feel their feelings in their body. Sometimes a spade is just a spade and it’s purely physical, and so you don’t want to start by assuming all pain or bodily symptoms are caused by emotions. Young kids often get stomachaches with viruses, for example. However, if your child repeatedly complains of physical symptoms, especially right before school, bedtime, or high stress events, you may consider that some anxiety or other strong emotion may be contributing to the symptoms. The mind and body are intricately connected so that feeling unwell physically can cause emotional stress and emotional stress can cause physical symptoms. It’s not an either–or situation but a “both–and.” Just think of how you get “butterflies in your stomach” before public speaking or your cheeks flush red when angry or embarrassed. For the purpose of this chapter, let’s assume your health care provider has confirmed there is no purely physical cause to explain the degree of your child’s symptoms, and there is at least some part better explained by the expression of emotion through physical feelings and complaints.
