Dr Phil Kieran: Is excitement the only cause of my son’s tummy pain?

In your son’s case, the pain seems to be associated with events he is keen to attend. This may suggest some difficulty with regulating moods. Picture: iStock 

My son is aged eight and often complains of stomach pain. It typically happens before a party or a special day at school. The excitement seems to be too much for him.

Occasionally, the pain has been so intense he has stayed at home. Once the pressure is off, he recovers quite quickly. I don’t think he’s making it up. I’m between a rock and a hard place: Do I let him grow out of it, or do I seek medical attention?