Child Psychosomatic Disorders
Did you know that some physical problems and symptoms have a mental cause? Psychosomatic disorders in children are just such physical ailments and symptoms for which no somatic explanation can be found. The human body and mind are in close contact. Somatization means that the mental load becomes bodily. For example, if a child does not know how to control his or her emotions, he or she may, so to speak, outsource the problem to a form of physical disorder.
What causes child psychosomatic disorders?
In the case of a child, psychosomatic disorders can develop because the child is unable or exhibits deficiencies in emotional control. When a problem affects a child, the child falls into the power of the emotions that arise with that problem. How can a child express in words what is happening to him? Many children are unable to express their own feelings. Others, on the other hand, may think that they will not be listened to, even if they express themselves. When this happens, the problem remains in the child’s psyche. Sooner or later, these problems manifest as physical symptoms of the body.
These symptoms are real, as are their complications. Treating psychosomatic disorders is not so simple that prescribing drugs alone would help them. Treatment also requires identifying and treating the psychological problems behind the disorder.
Symptoms of psychosomatic disorders in children
It is difficult to distinguish which disorders are of physical origin and which are mental. It is therefore important to be very careful, because if this is not the case, the solution may be based only on a physical perspective, in which case the psychological side is completely ignored.
Children are prone to the following types of psychosomatic symptoms:
- Digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Headache
- Respiratory symptoms such as interruption or acceleration of breathing
- Various skin symptoms
A variety of situations can lead to a problem of mental origin manifesting as a physical symptom. An event that a child is unable to understand or comprehend may cause the child to experience the above symptoms. Parents should be especially vigilant with respect to situations and events such as the separation or divorce of parents, the birth of a younger sibling, the commencement of a new school, or bullying.
If the child is very demanding of themselves, parents need to be especially careful when monitoring for possible symptoms. It is especially important to assess how long the child has been experiencing symptoms. It is also important for parents to consider whether something significant has happened that could affect the child.
How can psychosomatic disorders in children be treated?
Professional help is often needed to treat a child’s psychosomatic disorder. However, parents can use the following tips to help make their child feel better:
- Teach your child to control their emotions. By helping your child understand their own feelings, you can’t go wrong. The child needs to learn to express their feelings in a healthy way.
- Ask the child how his or her day has gone. The adult may not consider the child’s daily activities or interaction situations to be very relevant. However, your interest in a child’s life is vital to the child. When you are interested in your child’s life, you may get important information about what your child may be worried about.
- Find the cause of the problem. Try to find out how long the child’s discomfort has persisted, when it has intensified, and when it has begun to dissipate. There may be times when the symptoms experienced by the child disappear, for example, when he or she is not close to the source of the problem.
- Allow the child to express themselves. It may be difficult for the child at first, but it is important for the child to know that you are willing to listen to him. However, be careful not to burden the child with your questions. Instead, you can offer your listening ear whenever he needs it.
- Don’t get mad at a child if they are unable to express themselves and their sorrows. If the child does not know how to express his feelings, anger at him will only make the situation worse.
