Children’s and adolescents’ experiences with functional abdominal pain: a qualitative study in Norway

OBJECTIVE: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common during childhood and adolescence. When a somatic diagnosis is excluded, the healthcare system often terminates contact with the patient. The aim of the present study was to learn more about children’s and adolescents’ experiences with, and reflections on, the causes of their abdominal pain and what could possibly help them. DESIGN: The study has a qualitative design. Interviews with open questions were carried out by the first author. The conversations were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. SETTING: Children and adolescents referred from general practitioners located in urban and rural regions in two municipals in Norway. In 2016 and 2019, we had interviewed these children’s parents about their child’s abdominal pain. In spring 2020, the children and adolescents were interviewed. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve children and adolescents aged 10–18 years with FGIDs. RESULTS: Eight of the children and adolescents had recovered from their abdominal pain, while four still had symptoms. They felt frustrated by not having a diagnosis and by the lack of available treatment. Some who had been absent from school for weeks to months felt isolated and depressed. Focusing on positive thoughts and activities was reported to improve the pain. The abdominal pain could be considered a manifestation of mental problems. CONCLUSIONS: Thinking differently about the symptoms reduced the FGIDs for the children and adolescents. The treating physicians as well as parents and teachers need to help the child focus on changing the mindset of pain.