Written by Sarah Shires, LPC-S
Licensed Professional Counselor
Not Just a Stomachache
It’s a scenario many parents know well: your child complains of a stomachache again—no fever, no vomiting, just persistent discomfort. Maybe the pediatrician says everything looks “normal,” but your intuition says something more is going on. You’re not overreacting. In many cases, functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders like childhood IBS or functional abdominal pain are the real culprits.
These conditions don’t always show up on labs or imaging, but they’re very real, very treatable, and very distressing for kids. Understanding them can bring relief—not just for your child’s body, but for your whole family.
What Are Functional GI Disorders?
Functional GI disorders—also known as Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction (DGBI)—refer to a group of conditions where the digestive system looks normal but doesn’t work quite right. These disorders are caused by disruptions in the gut-brain connection, which controls digestion, stress responses, and pain perception.
Common disorders in children include:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Characterized by chronic abdominal pain and changes in stool patterns (constipation, diarrhea, or both).
- Functional Abdominal Pain (FAP): Recurrent stomach pain that isn’t linked to disease, infection, or inflammation, but still causes significant distress.
These are not imaginary problems—they involve real nerve sensitivity and gut motility changes. And they’re surprisingly common in kids.
Signs Your Child Might Have a Functional GI Disorder
Here’s what to watch for:Frequent stomachaches with no clear cause
- Pain that improves (or worsens) with a bowel movement
- Ongoing constipation or diarrhea without infection
- Complaints of nausea, bloating, or “butterflies”
- Increased symptoms during stressful events (tests, social changes)
- Normal lab results, but persistent discomfort
One clue: if your child’s symptoms spike with emotional stress (like a school presentation) and improve during calm periods (like weekends), this points to a gut-brain link—a hallmark of these disorders (Navidi, 2025).
Why Childhood IBS and FAP Happen
Functional GI disorders develop due to a combination of factors:
- Stress and anxiety can overstimulate the gut’s nerves.
- Past illnesses or infections may change how the gut responds to triggers.
- Family history of GI issues can increase risk.
- Brain-gut miscommunication causes pain signals to fire even when nothing is physically wrong.
Importantly, many children with childhood IBS or FAP feel ashamed or scared because they can’t explain their symptoms—and often worry no one will believe them. That’s why empathy is so critical.
How You Can Help as a Parent
1. Believe your child
Validation is powerful. Try saying: “I know your tummy hurts, and we’ll figure this out together.”
2. Track patterns
Keep a journal of symptoms, foods, stressors, and sleep. Often, clear patterns emerge.
3. Learn about the gut-brain connection
Understanding that emotional states can affect digestion helps reduce fear and stigma—for you and your child.
4. Explore evidence-based treatments
Treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and clinical hypnosis have been shown to reduce pain, improve quality of life, and even change how the brain processes gut signals in kids with functional GI disorders (Keefer & Palsson, 2008).
Helping Kids Feel Better—Inside and Out
Functional GI disorders are common, complex, and treatable. With the right support, your child can feel better—not just physically, but emotionally, too.
Explore our trusted resources to learn more about childhood IBS, the gut-brain connection, and how pediatric-focused care can help your family.
References
Keefer, L., & Palsson, O. S. (2008). The potential role of hypnosis in the management of inflammatory bowel disease. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.
Navidi, A. (2025). Psychological Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease [Presentation slides]. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.