Tummy Aches linked to Anxiety?

[NicH1529]

My DD is 7 and complains often about stomach pains. This has happened the last couple of times she has had exciting activities coming up - playing with a friend, having a party, run up to a holiday. Do you think these could be excitement/anxiety induced? I suffer terribly from anxiety and worry I've put my anxieties on to her.

My ds anxiety symptoms manifested in reflux, feeling sick, stomach ache, so I would say yes.

It could be.

I suffer terribly from anxiety and worry I've put my anxieties on to her.

Gently, worrying and feeling guilty will only make the anxiety worse for both you. It's not your fault if she's prone to anxiety, many people are. What you can do is help her to find healthy ways to deal with it so that she hopefully grows up to suffer less than you do. In doing so, you might also find ways to help yourself cope better.

Does she talk about things that worry her?

Adrenaline diverts blood from the gut to skeletal muscles during the flight or flight response. This feeling can upset stomachs and be mistaken for anxiety when it's a normal response to stress.

Fight or flight.

Just an idea …..My nephew complained of this and had numerous tests. I wasn’t surprised when it didn’t happen again after they got a new kitchen with a dishwasher. Despite gentle hints my sister and brother-in-law would never rinse the washing up liquid off crockery etc properly when hand washing the dishes.

I try to encourage her but she often bottles things up and then it results in sleepwalking, which is often a sign of her starting to feel unwell.

Yes my daughter suffered a lot. Dr recommended buscopan.

Sorry, I think I replied above without quoting you first.

That's OK, I realised you were replying to me.

I'd look into methods & techniques for helping children to manage their worries, there are so many out there, from worry toys* and play therapy to meditation. I'm sure you already know that children can find it easier to talk about things indirectly or in non-pressured environments...In your shoes I'd reach out to her GP first and then do some research or even speak to someone qualified in child therapy for advice.

*Have you seen these? They're usually soft toys into which children can post bits of paper they write their worries on. The toys give them a way to pass the burden on their concerns onto an imaginary/powerful figure while giving parents a way to find out what's consuming their thoughts.

I get anxiety shits before I go skiing-everyday I’m away… I thought it was the wine/cheese but no, I just hate the boots and am scared….

@NicH1529 there definitely is a link.

Agree with @DuckDuckG00se on finding strategies to help your daughter.🙂

eta; obviously the link provided is for adults 😃 but the evidence is there.

@DuckDuckG00se do you have a link for your post related to

"soft toys into which children can post bits of paper they write their worries on"?

Gosh now you're asking! None right now but I'll see if I can find one

@beetr00 @NicH1529
Here you go, Worry Monsters...

https://amzn.eu/d/gHJCOPo

Oh yes, a pp mentioned “anxiety shits”, I had them before every exam and interview!

As a child I used to get ‘mystery stomach pains’ before every maths lesson. I think my mum had to have a gentle chat with me about it and encouraged me to stick out just the next lesson, then the next and the next. I never liked maths but did it right to A level.