The role of psychological interventions in chronic headache management: a case report
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7175/cmi.v11i1.1287
Abstract
According to the biopsychosocial model, biological, psychological, and social factors entwine and influence each other bi-directionally concerning health conditions. Therefore, especially in disorders such as chronic headache, where behavioral and environmental factors are prominent risk factors and triggers, psychosocial interventions might contribute to reduce the burden of the health condition and related affective disorders and disability.
We present the case of a Medication Overuse Headache patient self-reporting psychosocial and cognitive issues, that prompted further clinical-psychological and neuro-cognitive assessment and eventually psychological interventions targeted at headache management in conjunction with medical treatment. Psychological interventions were tailored to the patient’s features and presentation and were successful in reducing headache attacks in terms of intensity, frequency, and debilitation, thereby resulting also in a better perceived general health.
Keywords
Headache Disorders; Migraine Disorders; Psychology; Medication Overuse Headache
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