Help Young Children Recognise Emotional Pain

"I've got a pain!"

Stress or indigestion?

Children may report emotional distress as a physical symptom. When children report a headache or tummy ache this may be a symptom of an underlying psychological problem. Parents can teach children from a young age to recognise emotional pain.

Clues to distinguish emotional pain could be that the onset is associated with another event such as fear or worry about a new or difficult situation .

If you suspect a psychological cause,

reassure the child and validate their experience.

Help the child understand the body signal for stress.

Assist them to relax and

make a plan about how to handle the stress.

teach how to cope do not avoid the situations

Congratulate the child when the pain eases.

Help them express their worry in a drawing, write a story, dance, play with a ball, be creative!. Children have a natural ability to use their imagination. This can assist them to be brave and face difficult situations.

Listen to the child's suggestions, they may come up with a magic thinking remedy! Remember we DO USE imagination with Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, why not try imagination for healing a psychological pain. Medical hynosis has a scientific basis which demonstrates how we can use the mind to improve health.

"If the pain persists of course, talk to your doctor."

Breathe in , Breathe out. Relaxxxxxx. Physical pain will be easier to manage when the patient is calm.

Lyn Everingham, Director
Focus Psychology