Hi there
DD13 has been unwell for over a year now,with derealisation, intermittent headaches, fatigue. Despite feeling this way she has managed to keep up her school attendance and is generally doing well academically.
We have seen the GP and paediatrician who have run lots of diagnostics - blood tests, ECG, blood pressure and neurological checks. We have also seen a psychiatrist who ruled out psychiatric problems as the cause.
The tests have not found any issues or led to a diagnosis. The doctors have advised it is most likely a post viral issue (she had a cough and tonsillitis before this developed). No real treatment offered other than making sure to drink lots of water (2-3l per day) and deep breathing exercises.
Understandably DD is now really fed up, and starting to become anxious and depressed due to feeling unwell, and not knowing the cause.
She has friends who she enjoys seeing, but has become increasingly withdrawn eg spending long periods in her room (although I guess that’s also normal teenage behaviour). She is also less active due to tiredness and is putting on weight (not that I have mentioned this to her, and instead try to encourage her to come on walks with the dog etc).
I had something similar as a teenager but it went away after around 6 months. I was hoping this would be the same and stop after a few months.
Has anyone else experienced this, and found strategies or treatments that help? Any advice to offer in terms of finding a diagnosis? I feel so bad for her, it’s hard enough being a teen :-(