[Psychological aspects of tension type headache]

Abstract

In understanding and treatment of tension type headache the psychological stress is considered as one of the most important factors causing and strengthening headache. The aim of this work was the assessment of personality traits in patients suffering from tension-type headache. Methods of this study were based on investigation of the dimensions of personality using the Eysenck Personality Inventory EPQ-R and the assessment of psychological stress using a Questionnaire of Demographic Variables. The group of 120 patients suffering from tension-type headache was assessed and 30 control subjects without headaches were investigated. Special personality traits conditioning/characterising tension-type headache were not confirmed. Patients with tension-type headache comparing to subjects from the control group showed neurotism and introversion.