The Child with Headache: Diagnosis and Treatment

Table of Contents

1. Headache in Children: The Nature of the Problem Patricia A. McGrath
   
   
2. Headache Measures for Children: A Practical Approach Patricia A. McGrath and Andrea L. Koster
   
   
3. Differential Diagnosis of Headaches in Children and Adolescents. A. David Rothner
   
   
4. Recurrent Headache: Triggers, Causes, and Contributing Factors Patricia A. McGrath and Loretta M. Hillier
   
   
5. Drug Therapies for Childhood Headache Simon D. Levin
   
   
6. Nondrug Therapies for Childhood Headache Patricia A. McGrath, Diane Stewart, and Andrea L. Koster
   
   
7. Treating Recurrent Headache: An Effective Strategy for Primary Care Providers Patricia A. McGrath and Loretta M. Hillier
   
   
8. A Cognitive-Behavioral Program for Treating Recurrent Headache Loretta M. Hillier and Patricia A. McGrath
   
   
9. Chronic Daily Headache in Children and Adolescents E. Wayne Holden, Pamela Bachanas, Kris Kullgren, and Jack Gladstein
   
   
10. Understanding Children's Headache: Current Status and Future Challenges Patricia A. McGrath

Appendix 1 Children's Headache Interview

Appendix 2 Parent Intake Form

Appendix 3 Parent Information Sheet: Migraine and Tension-Type Headache

Reviews

"The editors are well known for their work in understanding the psychological mechanisms and treatment of children with pain, and the book deals with pain associated specifically with headaches. However, many of the techniques described would generalise to other types of chronic pain disorder that would respond to psychological interventions. Drawing on extensive experience from their research programme and pain clinic developed in Ontario, Canada, the resulting book is rich in clinical application and evidence-based research.

"Apart from the slightly repetitive nature of the chapters regarding treatment, the text provides a practical framework to enable the clinician to select the most appropriate therapy for a child with pain."
Child and Adolescent Mental Health

"...[This book] goes a long way toward making sure that children with headaches are better understood and well managed.... It is a timely addition to the literature because it is the first comprehensive effort to address the clinical management of childhood recurrent headaches. Almost 20 years ago, Barlow (1984) published an excellent text on the clinical features, differential diagnosis, and medical management of childhood headaches, but little was offered in terms of nondrug treatments and little has been offered since....[So] a book of this nature has been long overdue.

"...[T]here is much to appreciate about this book. From a practical standpoint, a clinician with very little background in pain management would find very specific help regarding how to assess, diagnose, plan, and deliver treatment, whereas a scientist would find both conceptual and empirical support for decisions that have been made. Even researchers and practitioners widely experienced in study and treatment of recurrent headaches will discover that the scientific and practical experiences of McGrath and her colleagues result in valuable insights into the understanding and treatment of recurrent headaches in children. I believe the book makes a significant contribution to the field and would make a very valuable addition to the personal library of anyone who works with children with recurrent headaches. I know it has already added to mine."
Contemporary Psychology/APA Review of Books, 2002, Vol. 47, No. 5

"This is a comprehensive text packed with up-to-date information on the management of children with headaches.

"The layout of the book is logical and the text approachable. The authors discuss the current lack of understanding, awareness, and poor management of pain in infants, children, and adolescents. They work through the current understanding of headaches and how this can be converted to appropriate clinical practice.

"Chapter Five is an excellent review of the available acute and prophylactic drug therapies with recommended dosages and reviews of studies performed, subjectively assessing drug effectiveness. Chapter Six summarises non-drug therapies.... Cognitive therapy, behavioural therapy, physical techniques, homeopathy, and naturopathic medicinal options are reviewed.

"Chapter Seven recommends an approach for primary care givers to the child with recurrent headaches. The book concludes appropriately with future therapy and research challenges. The appendix includes a headache interview sheet, which is extremely detailed and ... excellently compiled.

"Finally there is an information sheet for parents, which is a good thing. This book is filled with up-to-date information contained in the literature and complemented by the authors' own experiences and practices. The tables and flow-charts which cover areas from differentials in diagnosis to the latest treatment options, are very good. There are a number of pain assessment sheets by which the child can grade his or her headache by using various picture scores.

"The case studies are well-illustrated examples, which are easy to relate to. Overall the book attempts to provide a holistic approach to 'the child with headache'. It succeeds in its aim to move away from the headache-centred focus to child-centred management.

"This text will be of use to any health care worker involved in the management of children with headaches that are of migraine, tension, or recurrent types."
South African Medical Journal

"This is a useful book for any health care provider who works with children suffering from chronic headache. Psychologists and other mental health care providers who work with these children may find the assessment instruments useful and will appreciate the insights passed on by professionals who have worked for many years specializing in this field. Neurologists and primary care physicians likely do not have time to devote to the multifaceted cognitive-behavioral assessment and treatment protocol described in the book. However, the description of factors involved in triggering and maintaining patterns in children may offer insights that many may not have considered, and the book provides many thought-provoking issues to screen for during an evaluation.

"I strongly recommend this book for anyone who works with children suffering from chronic headache or, for that matter, any type of chronic headache or recurrent pain complaint. It provides an in-depth look at treatment for these children that works, and [it describes] the varied elements that go into a successful management program."
APS Bulletin