The reasons for the referral were vast: fear of dying, fatigue, and depression symptoms such as inactivity as well as social and emotional retreat; the teenager could not think about anything else other than his (to him unknown or awkward) physiological experiences such as dizziness or an extra systole could be the first signs of life-threatening diseases (e.g. brain tumor or heart disease). Numerous medical examinations, sometimes in emergency medical consultation, revealed no medical diagnosis. Since these problems did not only occur only at home, but also at school, significant social integration and achievement problems also arose. For example, about once or twice daily the patient had to leave the classroom, complaining about symptoms, and demanding immediate access to a rest room, where a personal school assist would help him to rest until the symptoms faded. After usually about 20-30 min, he returned to the classroom, to be met with the dismissing looks from peers and also at times from teachers.
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