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Chapter 27: Headaches—Children

DOI:

10.1891/9780826124876.0027

Authors

  • Kohen, Daniel P.

Abstract

It is well-known that chronic, recurrent headaches (HA) are common in children and youth, so much so that they are the cause of considerable discomfort and distress, as well as functional disability. Although prescription analgesics may help relieve periodic HA, some medications to abort HA can contribute to rebound HA if used excessively. Triptan medications and beta-blocking agents are often prescribed not only for adults, but also for children and adolescents. This chapter focuses on the value of stories integral to the hypnotherapeutic experience in teaching young people self-management of HAs. The value of storytelling for children has been well known for centuries by their best therapists, that is, their parents, grandparents, and community elders. Self-hypnosis (SH) has many advantages over pharmacotherapy as a therapeutic strategy for HA. In addition to cost savings, training in SH enjoys the advantage of having no adverse effects as compared with medications.