QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Heller,
I feel that this is what we are dealing with: Our 14 y/o girl, who has very frequent stomach aches, cries, moans, begs not to go to school, often says "I almost called you to come pick me up," - and then feels better on weekends.
We're going crazy! Treatment suggestions appreciated!!!!
ANSWER:
There may be a medical problem going on, or there may be a situation in school that
she's afraid of. Examples would include threats from other students, problems with
teacher(s), peer pressure - especially to use druge (1/3 of middle schoolers sniff
inhalants), inability to keep up with school work, or ridicule from her peers. She needs
to see a therapist.
The two most likely medically treatable diagnoses include panic disorder and social
phobia. She could easily have attention deficit disorder causing this problem -
particularly if the generalized anxiety disorder is also present.
