Unexplained Anxiety In 9 Yr Old Along With Upset Stomach, Could It Be A Gluten Issue

[mommyto2kids]

A little girl in my son's class has unexplained anxiety issues that are new along with stomach issues with her anxiety. She gets the anxiety when she is separated from mom. She is in 4th grade. She crys a lot lately. Could it be a gluten related issue? The mom wants to try anything. Should I tell her to get a celiac test? Should I suggest going gluten-free? I have celiac. What do you think? She is ready to try anything? Thanks so much.

[mommy2krj]

If they are ongoing symptoms that have lasted for a while I would suggest she take her to the pediatrician to see if they can narrow down causes.

Sudden separation anxiety and stomach issues can be red flags for a lot of different things and that spectrum stretches pretty far and wide. I would definitely start at the pediatrician and have them do a work up and cover everything.

 

At that age it can be so many different things from a simple stress over a grade or friendship to other more pressing matters or it could be a food thing or any number of things. She could have also simply overheard a conversation she wasn't supposed to hear and is now stressing over it. Kids are funny like that and they never want to add to any stress for mom & dad.

Not super helpful, I know. I say this even after our own pediatrician tried to tell me that my son's issues were from stress about starting kindergarten. Which, I probably would have agreed with if his symptoms had started in August or September but they didn't start until end of December/January. So many things to look at!

Good luck to them figuring out what it is. I hope it's an easy answer!

[StephanieL]

Stomach issues with anxiety are common. I don't think I would make the jump from anxiety to Celiac without investigating a lot of other things.