children s health issues
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders in Children
Diagnosis
A visit with a doctor or behavioral health specialist Sometimes questionnaires about symptoms Physical examination and sometimes tests to rule out other disorders Doctors ask children about their symptoms and do a physical examination and sometimes tests to make sure that children do not have a physical disorder that could account for the symptoms. However, extensive laboratory tests are generally avoided because they may further convince children that a physical problem exists and unnecessary diagnostic tests may themselves traumatize children. For one of these disorders to be diagnosed, symptoms must be distressing or interfere with daily functioning, and children must be excessively concerned about their health and/or symptoms in thoughts and actions. If no physical problem can be identified, doctors may use standardized mental health tests to help determine whether symptoms are due to a somatic symptom or related disorder. Doctors also talk to the children and family members to try to identify underlying psychologic problems or difficult family relationships. 