A problem shared

By mother-of-four and GP Clare Bailey Could my child’s tummy aches really be school stress?

QMY SEVEN-year-old daughter has found the recent return to school particularly challenging. She has moved from infants to juniors and is struggling with the workload and expectations in terms of independence (bringing sports kit, writing down homework etc).

I’ve noticed it seems to have coincided with frequent complaints of tummy aches before school. I took her to the doctor but he found nothing wrong.

I’m now wondering if it could be related to anxiety levels? And if so, what can I do to help?

ASettling back into school, particularly after a long summer break, is challenging, and likely to result in butterflies in even the most robust of children’s stomachs.

You have sensibly checked with your gP that there is nothing serious going on, so it is time for you to be confidently encouraging; your daughter will quickly pick up if you appear concerned.

Reassuring your daughter that feeling anxious and having ‘tummy wobbles’ is normal will help. And don’t get too involved. i remember, age six, complaining that i had tummy ache. i got little sympathy from my mother, and it was all rather boring.

Although children feel safest with their most important people, they are also wired to be resourceful and resilient.

Why do they get tummy aches? Well, seven-year-olds don’t usually have the language to describe how they feel about their worries and uncomfortable feelings in their bodies. instead, they often appear as tummy aches, making sports and social activities harder to enjoy, reinforcing anxiety.

this can escalate to a child refusing to go to school or being sent home early, compounding the problem. their anxiety is usually related to separation from parents or care givers, common in young children, but it can persist, causing considerable distress and missing school.

Friendship issues are also common, with others worrying about possible harm to their parents while they are away.

Sadly, anxiety in children has been increasing over the past decades, with almost ten per cent of children aged 3-17 having been diagnosed with anxiety.

there are a variety of contributing factors, including the child’s temperament and any conflict at home.

As many as four per cent of children have Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD).

So how can you help reduce your child’s anxiety and prevent ‘school-day stomachs’?

explain that different emotions can produce different feelings in the body. they might feel hot and tense when angry, while anxiety may be like butterflies in their tummy.

Avoid paying too much attention to their symptoms. Focus on healthy ways of coping, such as breathing exercises.

if your child is missing school, contact staff as they can help set up a plan, including rewards, breaks and, if needed, a gradual return. For more persistent and troublesome anxiety, they may need referral for more support.