Many times one hears a girl complain about an ailment. This coincidently happens when she is on her way to school, work, or somewhere else she doesn't want to be going to. These complaints tend not to be believed because it is assumed she is just trying to get out of something she doesn't want to do. What really needs to be considered is that many times the pain is real. Her stomach really is cramping. Her head really is pounding. Stress certainly causes more problems than headaches (ask any heart surgeon). Pain felt by psychosomatic illness is real. Giving her Tylenol and telling her to get over it will not solve problems. If this is reoccurring, it really needs to be explored as to why she gets these pains and when she gets them. Symptoms should not be ignored. She may really have something else going on.

Some things we can do …

• Find out what stressors are affecting her negatively.
  
  
• Encourage physical activity (to release stress).