When Feelings Show Up in the Body: Understanding Somatic Symptoms in Kids and Teens
Have you ever taken your child to the doctor for a headache or stomach ache, only to be told “everything looks normal”—but your gut tells you something is still off?
Maybe your teen is suddenly sleeping too much, or not at all. Maybe they’ve been dealing with nausea, tightness in their chest, or tension in their jaw, but no one can figure out what’s causing it.
It can be confusing, frustrating, and even scary.
What many people don’t realize is that mental health struggles often show up in the body first—especially in children and teens. These are called somatic symptoms, and they’re much more common than you might think.
🧠 What are somatic symptoms?
Somatic symptoms are physical symptoms that don’t have a clear medical explanation, but are very real and very distressing. They’re often connected to emotional experiences like anxiety, depression, stress, or trauma.
It’s not “all in their head”—their body is just expressing what their mind may not have words for yet.
🧒 Why does this happen in kids and teens?
Children and adolescents are still learning how to identify, understand, and express their emotions. Many haven’t yet developed the language or insight to say:
“I’m feeling overwhelmed by school.”
“I’m scared about my friendships.”
“I’m anxious and I don’t know why.”
Instead, their nervous system might speak through their body.
And because kids often aren’t even aware they’re anxious or struggling emotionally, they might genuinely believe they’re just sick or in pain—which can lead to even more stress and confusion.
🩺 Common somatic symptoms of mental health distress
Here are some of the ways emotional struggles can show up physically in kids and teens:
Headaches or migraines
Stomach aches, nausea, or digestion issues (especially before school or social events)
Muscle tension, body aches, or jaw clenching
Fatigue or low energy without clear medical cause
Appetite changes (eating too much or too little)
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Chest tightness or shortness of breath (especially during moments of anxiety)
Frequent unexplained illnesses, like colds or stomach bugs
Sleep disturbances—trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping excessively
Sometimes, kids with anxiety or depression don’t feel sad or worried—they just feel sick.
🧩 What could be behind the symptoms?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but somatic symptoms can be linked to:
Generalized anxiety or social anxiety
Depression, especially when kids don’t show typical signs like sadness
School-related stress or burnout
Family conflict or changes at home
Bullying or friendship difficulties
Trauma or past emotional wounds
Sensory sensitivities, particularly for neurodivergent children (like those with ADHD or autism)
Sometimes it’s a mix of things. Sometimes the child doesn’t even know what’s bothering them—they just don’t feel right.
🧘♀️ What helps?
First, it’s important to rule out medical causes. A trip to your child’s doctor is a good place to start. But if tests come back normal and symptoms persist, it may be time to look at what else might be going on beneath the surface.
Here’s how you can support your child:
🫶 1. Validate their experience
Let them know you believe them. Even if the symptom doesn’t make sense to you, it’s real to them. Try:
“I know your tummy hurts, and that must be really frustrating.”
“It’s okay that we don’t have all the answers yet. I’m here with you.”
🧠 2. Gently explore the emotional side
Once your child feels safe and validated, you might ask:
“Do you notice your body feeling like this more during certain times, like before school or after practice?”
“Sometimes our body holds stress for us when our feelings get really big. Do you think that might be happening?”
🧍♀️ 3. Help them reconnect with their body
Simple somatic tools can be incredibly grounding:
Stretching or gentle movement
Progressive muscle relaxation
Deep belly breathing or “square” breathing
Naming body sensations together: “Does it feel sharp? Tight? Warm? Heavy?”
🤝 4. Consider mental health support
A therapist who works with children and teens can help your child:
Name and understand their emotions
Learn coping tools that address both body and mind
Develop language to talk about what’s going on
Feel less alone in what they’re experiencing
🚩 When to reach out for extra help
If your child is:
Missing school or social events due to physical symptoms
Becoming more withdrawn, anxious, or irritable
Experiencing ongoing pain or distress with no medical cause
Expressing feelings of hopelessness or saying things like “I wish I wasn’t here”
…it’s a good time to connect with a mental health professional.
There’s no need to wait until things feel “serious.” The earlier we intervene, the better support your child will have to grow, heal, and thrive.
💬 Final thoughts
Kids and teens often speak the language of behaviour and body, not just words. When something’s going on emotionally, their bodies might be the first place it shows up.
You’re not overreacting by wondering if there’s more to those constant tummy aches or lingering fatigue. And your child isn’t being dramatic or difficult—they’re trying to make sense of something big, without all the tools just yet.
📩 If you’re unsure how to support your child or want to explore whether therapy might help, I’m here to walk with you. Let’s work together to understand what’s going on underneath—and help your child feel more at home in their body and their emotions.