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Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 1/2010

01-02-2010

Chronic Headache: The Role of the Psychologist

Author: Robert A. Nicholson

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

The role of the psychologist in chronic headache needs to be tailored to the patient’s presentation. For some patients, psychological issues need to be directly addressed (eg, psychiatric comorbidity, difficulties coping with headache, significant problems with sleep and/or stress, medication overuse, and history of abuse). Other situations (eg, patients’ beliefs about their readiness to change ability to actively manage headaches, medication adherence, and managing triggers) involve behavioral/psychological principles even when there is no direct contact with a psychologist. This article reviews the literature on the importance of psychological issues in headache management and provides suggestions for how to address behavioral and cognitive factors and their potential for improved headache care.
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Metadata
Title
Chronic Headache: The Role of the Psychologist
Author
Robert A. Nicholson
Publication date
01-02-2010
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-009-0087-9

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