Case Study: From Physical Pain to Renewed Confidence
How Adolescent Therapy Can Uncover the Real Issues
It is one of the most frightening experiences for a parent: your child is in real, physical pain, but medical tests show nothing is wrong. This was the situation for “Jane,” a 15-year-old who came to MindWell after a referral from her pediatrician. She was experiencing persistent physical symptoms, including chronic stomach aches, fatigue, and headaches, which had led to her missing a significant amount of school.
While the symptoms were physical, her pediatrician suspected the root cause was emotional. This case study illustrates how a comprehensive approach to adolescent therapy can provide relief, build lasting coping skills, and restore family harmony.
The Challenge: When Stress Wears a Disguise
During her initial intake session, Jane was able to open up about her feelings. The MindWell clinician quickly identified that the physical pain was a manifestation of overwhelming stress.
Jane described a deep sense of feeling overwhelmed by parental expectations and a fear of failure at school, which she interpreted as feeling “dumb”. The pressure she felt regarding homework and grades, combined with negative social interactions, had become a cycle of anxiety. Because she felt unable to express these feelings directly, her anxiety was “internalizing” and emerging as physical pain.
The Solution: A Multi-Layered Treatment Plan
Our team developed a plan that addressed Jane’s challenges from multiple angles, moving beyond just the symptoms to find the root of the solution.
- Comprehensive Assessment: The first step was to address Jane’s feeling of being “dumb.” We initiated a plan to rule out any underlying learning disability. This reflects our philosophy that behavioral or emotional problems can often be the first sign of an undiagnosed academic or processing issue.
- Individual Therapy (CBT): Jane began a protocol using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a proven, evidence-based approach for adolescents. In her one-on-one sessions, she learned to recognize the specific thought patterns that triggered her stress. She began to understand how she interpreted interactions with teachers and family, and how those interpretations led to her negative feelings and physical symptoms.
- Parent & Family Support: We believe that for a teen to succeed, the family system must be involved. Jane’s parents were taught how to re-structure homework time to be more positive and less stressful. The family also worked together to develop more proactive and open communication, giving Jane a voice to express her feelings before they became overwhelming.
The Outcome: Finding Her Voice and Regaining Her Life
The results of this integrated approach were transformative. As Jane gained insight and developed new coping skills, her physical symptoms subsided.
She learned to re-interpret what she had previously seen as “pressure” or “disappointment” in a healthier way. Her school absences dropped, and her interactions with both parents and teachers became more positive. Most importantly, Jane found a healthy social life and discovered her own voice to advocate for her feelings, breaking the cycle of internalizing her stress.
Does Your Teenager’s Struggle Look Like This?
Many adolescents, like Jane, do not express anxiety or depression in ways adults expect. It can often appear as:
- Physical complaints with no medical cause
- Irritability or anger
- School avoidance or a drop in academic performance
- Social withdrawal or changes in friendships
If your child is struggling, you don’t have to wait for it to become a crisis. The psychologists at MindWell specialize in therapy and testing for children, teens, and adults. We are committed to providing excellent care in a warm, supportive environment to help your family find the root of the solution.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation for your teen.