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Migraine, personality, and psychiatric comorbidity
1Department of Psychiatry, Henry Ford Health Sciences Center, Detroit, Mich 48202-3450, USA.
Headache
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Migraine is linked to higher neuroticism, even without other psychiatric issues. This suggests migraine sufferers may be more prone to psychological distress and challenges managing their condition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Migraine is a common neurological disorder.
- The relationship between migraine and personality traits requires further investigation.
- Comorbid psychiatric disorders may influence the migraine-personality association.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between migraine and personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, psychoticism).
- To examine this association while controlling for co-occurring major depression and anxiety disorders.
- To explore potential psychological vulnerabilities in individuals with migraine.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiologic study of young adults in the Detroit metropolitan area.
- Migraine diagnosed using 1988 International Headache Society (IHS) criteria.
- Personality assessed via Eysenck's Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).
- Structured diagnostic interviews used for psychiatric disorders.
Main Results:
- Migraine showed a significant association with neuroticism.
- No significant association was found between migraine and extraversion or psychoticism.
- The link between migraine and neuroticism persisted after controlling for sex and psychiatric comorbidities.
- Over 25% of migraine sufferers without psychiatric comorbidity scored in the highest neuroticism quartile.
Conclusions:
- Migraine is associated with higher levels of neuroticism.
- Individuals with migraine may exhibit increased vulnerability to psychopathology.
- Migraine sufferers might face greater challenges in adjusting to their medical condition.