When Symptoms Show Up in Your Child
Every now and then, I get a message from someone that starts something like this:
“My daughter’s not feeling well… she’s exhausted and no one can explain it.”
Or: “My son has started saying he’s in pain, and I’m terrified he’s going down the same path I did.”
It’s not something to panic about, but it is something to take seriously. This doesn’t mean there’s a genetic defect, and it doesn’t mean your child is broken. What it likely means is this: their nervous system and brain is starting to protect them in the same way yours once did.
This is actually common in mind-body conditions. And I know this both professionally and personally – because my own son also developed chronic symptoms as a teenager. He’s now fully recovered, has travelled the world, and is living a full and healthy life in his twenties. His recovery was possible because we intervened early, and we worked with his mindbody system, not against it.
It can happen at any age. Someone I coached had nearly completed her own healing journey when her teenager suddenly became bedridden with fatigue. In another case, an 8 year old developed identical symptoms to their parent within weeks. I’ve also worked with adult children in their twenties and thirties whose health began to spiral just as a parent began recovering. This pattern can be heartbreaking to watch; but it’s also completely reversible. The key is early, strategic support.
A Different Path Is Possible
If your child is showing symptoms, and you’ve walked the road of chronic illness yourself, of course you’re going to worry; you know how long it can take to find the right answers.
Most of the people I work with are high-achieving adults; brilliant in their careers, bright, capable, resourceful individuals who’ve tried everything and still haven’t fully recovered. The truth is, the mindbody healing path takes courage. They (You) are doing the hard work of reversing deeply wired patterns, often after years of symptoms.
But what if your child doesn’t have to go that far down the road?
What if the warning signs showing up now; whether it’s fatigue, headaches, anxiety, school avoidance, body pain – aren’t just random, but early signals from a sensitive system trying to protect them? And what if there’s something you can do about it now?
When we begin this work in childhood or adolescence, recovery is often much faster. The brain is more flexible and the identity and personality patterns aren’t so fixed.
How I Work with Families
In most cases, we begin with you, the parent. If you’re dysregulated or overwhelmed, your child will feel it. If you’ve been through years of suffering, they’ll absorb that. So the first step is helping you find stability. I’ll work with you to regulate your own system, shift out of fear, and learn how to help yourself and your child.
From there, I can work directly with your child or teen if appropriate. This might include nervous system regulation, rewiring symptom patterns, or emotional tools they can use to move through challenges with resilience. Sessions are clear, empowering, and always age-appropriate.
What to Watch For
You don’t need a diagnosis to take action. Look out for:
- Recurring symptoms like stomach aches, fatigue, dizziness, or headaches with no clear cause
- Emotional shifts like sudden anxiety, withdrawal, or perfectionism
- Avoidance of school, social situations, or daily activities due to physical complaints
- A family history of chronic illness or stress-related conditions
If you’re seeing any of these signs, it’s not too early to act. In fact, this is the best time to start.
A Personal Note
I’ve worked with families where children were on the edge of medical burnout before the age of 16. I’ve seen young adults recover completely after just a few sessions, because their systems are flexible and neural pathways adapt rapidly. And I’ve guided parents who were terrified their children of 6, 7 and 8 years old would have to relive their own journey, only to watch relief and joy return to the household.
This work changes lives, especially when it starts early.
Next Steps for Real Recovery
If you’re a parent navigating symptoms in yourself or your child, I invite you to reach out. You don’t need all the answers. You just need a starting point, and that’s what I can offer.You can take the next step today:
💗 Explore the recovery resources on this site for practical tools, somatic practices, and brain rewiring support.
💗 When you’re ready for deeper, personalised support, book a Mind-Body Recovery Coaching session.
With warmth and care,
Amari 💗
