Quality of Life (QOL), Coping and Psychological Symptoms in Children and Adolescents With Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

Quality of Life, Coping and Psychological Symptoms in Children and Adolescents With Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

1. Characterize the quality of life of young children with CVS (i.e., psychological, social, physical, school functioning) and the impact of the child's illness on the parent's and family's quality of life (i.e., emotional, social, cognitive functioning, communication, worry, daily activities and family relationships).
2. Assess symptoms of depression, anxiety, ADHD and behavioral problems in what our preliminary data suggests is a psychiatrically vulnerable population.
3. Evaluate the associations between quality of life and psychiatric symptoms and the frequency and intensity of CVS attacks.
4. Use the data generated from this study to develop a psychosocial intervention targeted at young children with CVS and their families who evidence risk for functional disability, with the aim of intervening as early as possible to limit the psychological and social morbidity experienced by children with CVS and their and families.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of CVS

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children and parents who are not English speaking
• Youth with significant developmental delay, mental retardation, psychotic symptoms, or other significant mental impairments and those with other major medical disorders such as IDDM, congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, etc.