The Pediatrician’s Guide to Managing the Difficult Pediatric Headache Patient

Abstract

Pediatric headache is a common pain complaint in children and adolescents, and pediatricians are the first source of headache assessment and treatment. This article provides guidelines for pediatricians in managing difficult headache patients typically seen in our practice. The 3 categories we typically evaluates and treats include (a) “It’s medical, not psychological”; (b) “You’re the only doctor who can help me”; and (c) “My child is perfect.” A brief case presentation illustrates each of these categories of patients. Specific recommendations for treatment, as well as guidelines for parents, are provided.