Why does my daughter have stomach problems?

QUESTION:

Dear Dr. Heller,

Hello Doctor.  I have a question I hope that you can help me with.  My 11-year-old daughter has been having problems with her stomach ever since Sept.  of this year.  I have taken her to 3 different doctors and they can't find her problem.  These are her symptoms:  vomiting (and this only happens on Mondays, only every Monday), she also gets weak, and gets a headache too.  I hope you can help.  Thanks...

ANSWER:

It sounds like a mental health problem and/or that she is afraid to go to school.  If she has been medically evaluated this is the most likely explanation.  Social phobia or panic disorder may be present, as can depression.

When I'm faced with a patient like this I ask both biological parents to fill out my screening test at http://www.BiologicalUnhappiness.com/screen.htm to give me clues regarding genetic diagnoses.