Mon Jul 14 15:24:31 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Doctors at JSS Medical College in Mysuru, India, have found that some children complaining of stomach pain, despite showing no physical illness, are actually suffering from psychological issues. A study presented at a conference revealed causes such as depression, learning disabilities, bullying, family issues, and visual disturbances. The hospital sees 15-20% of referred cases qualifying for a multidisciplinary approach involving psychiatry, pediatrics, and surgery. This approach has helped avoid unnecessary surgeries, with most children returning to school after collaborative care.
**News Article:**
**Psychological Distress Behind Unexplained Stomach Pain in Children, Indian Doctors Find**
**MYSURU, INDIA – July 14, 2025** – A new study from JSS Medical College in Mysuru, India, has shed light on a concerning trend: unexplained stomach pain in children often stems from underlying psychological distress. Doctors presenting their findings at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry conference in Bengaluru revealed that a significant percentage of children complaining of stomach pain, despite extensive physical examinations yielding no results, are grappling with issues like depression, learning disabilities, and bullying.
The study, although focused on a small group, highlighted that out of every 100 children referred to the pediatric surgery department, 15-20% could benefit from a multidisciplinary approach involving psychiatrists, pediatricians, and surgeons. Paediatric surgeon Dr. Sudhamshu K.C. emphasized that these children genuinely experience pain, but it’s psychosomatic, originating from psychological issues that can even lead to school refusal.
Professor of Psychiatry, M. Kishor, noted an increasing number of parents directly seeking surgical intervention, highlighting a lack of awareness about the potential psychological roots of the problem. Over the past year, the team has worked with 12-14 children, uncovering causes ranging from dyslexia and anxiety to mobile addiction and family issues like over-parenting.
“Through such an approach, we have been able to avoid a large number of unnecessary surgical interventions. Most of the children, who were under the collaborative care of psychiatry and pediatric department, are back in school,” said Dr. Kishor, emphasizing the success of their multidisciplinary approach. The findings underscore the importance of considering mental health when diagnosing and treating children with unexplained physical symptoms.
First Piper 