Abstract
Headache has a high prevalence rate in children and adolescents and leads to an impairment in physical well-being (somatic complaints), psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, and emotional inhibition), and daily functioning (school absence and social dysfunction). Cognitive behavioral therapy has been successfully applied to headaches, depression, and anxiety individually. However, the comorbidity of these disorders point to a need for a transdiagnostic approach to CBT. Transdiagnostic CBT is applicable to a range of mental disorders without having to tailor the protocol to specific diagnoses. The chapter, with the help of a case vignette, gives the illustration of various assessment tools for headache and comorbid disorders. Further, intervention is divided into three phases, namely initial, middle, and termination phase lasting for a total of 10–16 sessions, with one session to be held each week. Initial sessions involve establishing rapport and assessment, psychoeducating the adolescent and the parents about headache and comorbid disorders, teaching relaxation, and guided imagery. Middle sessions involve developing hierarchy, cognitive restructuring, exposure-based procedures, problem-solving skills training, stress management, and assertiveness skills training. Final phase involves relapse prevention and termination. These sessions are described in detail and given in a step-by-step format. Possible barriers to treatment are further discussed along with future directions.
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Sharma, P., Mehta, M., Sagar, R. (2015). Headache—A Transdiagnostic Approach. In: Mehta, M., Sagar, R. (eds) A Practical Approach to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Adolescents. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2241-5_14
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2241-5_14
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