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Psychological normality and abnormality in persistent headache patients.
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont. N6A 4H1 Canada Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ont. N6A 4H1 Canada.
Pain
|September 1, 1985
Summary
Persistent headaches are linked to emotional disturbance, but not always. While some patients experience anxiety with chronic pain, others develop tolerance, suggesting complex factors beyond emotional state influence headache development.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Persistent headaches are common neurological complaints.
- The relationship between persistent headache and emotional disturbance requires further investigation.
- Understanding psychological factors is crucial for comprehensive headache management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between persistent, non-organic headaches and emotional disturbance.
- To compare emotional disturbance levels in headache patients with general and psychiatric populations.
- To explore correlations between headache characteristics and psychological states.
Main Methods:
- 103 patients from a neurological outpatient clinic were assessed.
- Utilized the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ 28) and Crown-Crisp Experiential Index for emotional assessment.
- Employed the Parental Bonding Instrument and Levine-Pilowsky Depression Questionnaire to evaluate childhood experiences and depressive illness.
Main Results:
- Headache patients exhibited moderate emotional disturbance compared to general and psychiatric populations.
- No significant psychological differences were found across various headache diagnoses (cluster, migraine, tension).
- A negative correlation was observed between illness duration and anxiety levels.
Conclusions:
- Emotional state contributes to headache development in some patients, but not all.
- Selection effects and the chronicity of the disorder influence emotional changes.
- Patient responses to chronic pain vary, involving anxiety, depression, or tolerance.