Psychological intervention in cyclic vomiting syndrome in adolescents: A case series.

Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is difficult to diagnose, thus there is often a delay in diagnosis or a misdiagnosis. In the absence of an adequate understanding of the pathophysiology of the syndrome, it is under-recognised and treatment is difficult. The present case series aimed to assess and manage three adolescents with CVS. The Children's Apperception Test was administered on the three Asian adolescents who were referred for the management of CVS to the Department of Clinical Psychology at a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India. A treatment module was developed to treat CVS in these adolescents. A strong link was found between the psychological stressors and their physical manifestations in the episodes of vomiting. Therapeutic management with a focus on behavioural modification, adaptive coping skills, and a healthy therapeutic relationship was found to be efficacious in gradually remitting this condition. Thus, the focus of treatment in cases of CVS should be to understand the psychological underpinning and help the adolescents to incorporate healthy coping strategies.