Somatic Complaints in Children: Is the Body Responding to a Mental Overload?

When your child says "My tummy hurts" — but there’s no fever or flu

It’s been three mornings in a row now. Your child wakes up clutching their stomach or insisting they have a headache. You check their temperature, feel their forehead, and they seem perfectly fine. There’s no sign of a virus, no physical symptom a pediatrician would chase. Yet, the complaints are real, the discomfort is genuine — and school is on the schedule again.

As a parent, you’re exhausted, worried, and maybe a little bit confused. What if the real issue isn’t in the body, but in the mind?

Understanding somatic complaints: A child's unspoken stress

Somatic complaints — physical symptoms like stomachaches, headaches, or even fatigue that don’t have an identifiable medical cause — are surprisingly common in children between the ages of 6 and 12. Especially for kids struggling with academic stress, learning difficulties, or emotional overwhelm, the body can become the voice for what they can’t yet say out loud.

Children don’t always have the emotional vocabulary or self-awareness to tell us they feel anxious, frustrated, overloaded, or unsafe. So instead of saying, “I’m worried about today’s test,” or “I feel overwhelmed by my homework,” their anxiety could take shape in a sore tummy or aching head.

Why this age group is especially vulnerable

In the early school years, expectations grow fast. Children are asked to sit still longer, concentrate harder, and perform academically. They're also beginning to notice how they compare to peers — who's faster at reading, quicker at math, more effortlessly organized. For kids already managing attention challenges, learning struggles, or perfectionistic tendencies, it can feel like a constant uphill battle.

And here’s the kicker: they often don't have clear tools to release or process that daily stress. That mental buildup doesn’t just vanish. It settles into the body.

How to gently decode what their body is saying

If somatic complaints crop up frequently — especially on school days or before specific events — it may be worth considering whether your child is carrying a quiet emotional load. The goal isn't to dismiss these physical symptoms, but to gently explore what else might be present.

Start with curious compassion. In a calm moment, try asking:

• "I wonder if anything at school lately has been making your body feel tired or tense?"
• "Do you ever feel worried or nervous before you get that tummy feeling?"
• "Is there a part of the school day you don’t like as much?"

Conversations like these, when offered without judgment or agenda, can gently create space for children to recognize and name emotions that may be bubbling beneath the surface.

Are these signs of mental fatigue — or something more?

If your child seems mentally drained often, it’s important to distinguish between ordinary school-related fatigue and more persistent struggles. Mental fatigue can mimic or mask attention disorders, so it’s helpful to track patterns: When do symptoms spike? What helps them subside?

You can also learn how to ease your child’s mental load after a long school day, especially if you notice they collapse into irritability or shutdowns at home.

Fostering safe ways to unwind and reconnect

For children continually caught in the cycle of trying to ‘push through’ academic or social stress, what they often need most is a pocket of calm — a space to decompress safely and feel emotionally in sync with the adults around them.

That doesn’t have to look like deep therapy or structured activities. It might be a quiet walk, gentle stretching, or a cozy audio story before bedtime. Apps like LISN Kids offer original iOS and Android audiobooks that help kids step away from daily pressures and reconnect with imagination and calm. With stories made for different age levels, it can be a soothing daily ritual to support mental rest.

Creating mental breaks that don’t feel like more work

Ironically, trying to “help” kids decompress can backfire if it feels like yet another responsibility. That’s why your approach matters. Mental breaks should feel like relief, not reinforcement. Keep things light. Offer options and rhythms that feel natural — not like more checkboxes to fill.

Over time, these gentle pauses can help recalibrate your child’s nervous system and give their busy brains the reset they often crave.

When to seek professional support

Not every ache is anxiety, and not every child who feels overwhelmed has a serious challenge. But if the physical complaints are frequent, interfere with daily life, or seem to be tied to emotional distress, consult your child’s pediatrician or school psychologist. A few strategic conversations could open doors to the right support — and offer immense relief to your child.

In the meantime, keep showing up with patience and empathy. Your steady presence — even in your own fatigue — is powerful medicine too.

One final thought

The quickest way to help your child communicate big feelings isn’t always asking more questions. Sometimes, it’s simply making space for them to feel safe and seen. Whether that’s a story before bed, a quiet moment in the car, or downtime on the couch, these gentle pauses might be exactly where the healing begins.

For more calming ideas, check out our guide to peaceful wind-down ideas at home for mentally tired kids, or explore what it means when your child is always lost in thought.