[Migraine--personality and coping mechanisms: a critical review]

There have been conflicting reports on the relationship between migraine and personality for more than 50 years. Our review of the literature on migraine and personality supports the hypothesis of secondary neuroticism. Stress has repeatedly been shown to trigger acute migraine attacks. So recent studies focus on specific stressful situations and coping strategies in patients with migraine. In the present paper we discuss five issues that may explain the conflicting findings: 1. Because almost all of the studies have been cross-sectional, the personality constellations found in the patients with migraine cannot be regarded as predisposing factors. 2. Frequently no differentiation is made between migraineurs in general and those who are patients, but a generalization cannot be made from those who see a physician to all migraineurs. 3. The term "specific to migraine" is appropriate only if patients with migraine differ not only from healthy control subjects but also from patients with other types of headache. 4. Most studies on migraine personality do not differentiate between subgroups and 5. do not take into account the periodical course of the illness. Future studies should consider these findings.