Cluster Headaches for Kids

Is your Mom or Dad having headaches that make them very upset? Do they sometimes yell at you to leave them alone when they are having a headache? It’s scary, isn’t it? 

Sometimes, because they’re in pain, they might even blame YOU for their headache!! That’s not fair, (and it’s certainly not true) but they are probably in so much pain that they don’t realize what they’re saying. It’s kind of like they become someone else when they’re having a headache. Someone scary.

There are a few things you should know about these headaches they’re having. First of all, they are called cluster headaches. We don’t know what causes them and we don’t really know how to make them go away. We DO know that these headaches aren’t going to kill them.  It hurts them a lot .  It makes them act like someone you don't know.  But there are ways to help and make them a little better.

Each headache is usually called an attack and each attack is usually over within a couple of hours. That seems like a long time and it’s very hard to watch your parent getting attacked when there isn’t much you can do to help. Sometimes, they can have many attacks in one day. One thing you CAN do, just by yourself, is to watch the clock and tell ourselves “it’s only going to be about 20 more minutes…..15 more minutes…10 more minutes”. Sometimes that really helps you get through it.

Sometimes, your mom or dad DOES really need to be alone when they have an attack. They probably don’t want you to see them in so much pain. That’s OK. You’ll probably be more of a help to them if you could let them have some privacy at those times. Maybe you can go into your room and draw them a nice picture for them, or write them a letter, or make them something that they will like when they’re not having so much pain.  Give it to them when they are NOT in pain.

Another thing you need to know is that you’re not the only person who has to watch their parents go through these headaches. There are lots of other people in the world that do, too! There are lots of kids that are just as scared and confused as you are, so please don’t feel alone anymore.

If you need to talk to someone, just to tell someone that you’re scared, or you’re mad, or you need ideas on how to help, ask your Mom or Dad (when they are NOT having an attack) if you can visit the Supporters Board at:

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/

and talk to others who go through what you do.  There are areas on this message board that are reserved for supporters just like you! 

Sometimes even an e-mail >>>>>HUG<<<<< will help you to feel better. And, hey – maybe YOU can talk to another kid out there that’s just as scared as you are and maybe you can help THEM. You can be CLUSTERPALS and work together to get through it!!

If you would like to speak to an OUCH Family Services Team member, e-mail us at familyservices@ouch-us.org or click the Question/Feedback link on the Family Services Page.  Someone will answer you as soon as possible.   We are here to help in any way we can.

One last thing – there is a group of folks out here who are working all the time to find a cure for cluster headaches. And we’re not going to stop until we find one!!!