Three year old behavior problems?

[Mamma23_01]

Hello,

My daughter has had several strange symptoms since she was one year old.  They are as follows:

Headaches waking her up at night
Headaches during the day
Eye Pain
Trouble Eating/drinking
Choking/gagging
Trouble Potty training
holding ears
strange sensations in arms

She has been worked up by GI, and had every blood test known to man done.  Everything is normal.  Her MRI shows Chiari Malformation, but the herniation is small, so the dr. says he doesn't think the symptoms are from Chiari.  He says they are probably behavioral.

Can you please tell me how these symptoms are behavioral?  How can these be behavioral at one year old?  

I'm attaching an image of her spinal MRI, in which I think I see a syrinx.  I know you're not a neurologist, but the neurology forum is not accepting questions.  I am desperate.  I truly don't understand how her symptoms could be behavioral, and I think the dr. may be saying this because there is no other explanation.

Any advice would be so appreciated!

[IMG]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd197/mamma23_01/syrinx20003.jpg[/IMG]

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

While it is certainly true that some childhood behaviors have an emotional or psychoilogical basis, while all is OK medically, for other behaviors this is not true. I am always reluctant to assume that behaviors that might involve the central nervous system are emotionally-based. As you already know, some of your daughter's symptoms are classic examples of CM. This is not to say that all her symptoms are directly due to CM. The eating and toileting behaviors may be addressed better by behavioral approaches; this would likely be true re: the toliet training. I would certainly consult with a pediatric GI specialist re: the choking/gagging and eating problems before adopting any behavioral approach.

[Mamma23_01]

Yes, I'm actually going to seek a second opinion from another neurosurgon.  

I am told by others that children presenting with these problems (who actually end up having Chiari), are told to see a psychiatrist.

I am convinced that her symptoms aren't from psychiatry or behavioral issues.  I just wanted to ask a dr. who specializes in behavioral issues to double-check.

Thank you so, so much.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

I cannot offer an opoinion about the MRI; it is not my specialty. The array of symptoms you describe does not suggest a behavioral syndrome and it would not be my inclination to go in that direction. A second opinion consult is certainly in order. Do you have a resource where you might obtain such a second opinion?