Personality Characteristics of Male Sufferers of Chronic Tension-Type and Cervicogenic Headache

Abstract

Background and Purpose Chronic tension-type headache (a primary headache disorder) and cervicogenic headache (a secondary headache disorder that is attributable to upper cervical spine pathology) share similar clinical manifestations, but their associated personality traits may differ. We evaluated the personality differences between sufferers of chronic tension-type headache and cervicogenic headache. Methods We administered the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ) and the Zuckerman Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS) to 18 patients suffering from chronic tension-type headache, 19 suffering from cervicogenic headache, and 26 healthy volunteers. Depressive trends were measured with the Plutchik-van-Praag Depression Inventory (PVP). Results Compared to healthy controls, the chronic tension-type headache group scored significantly higher on ZKPQ Neuroticism-Anxiety and on the PVP, while the cervicogenic headache group scored significantly lower on SSS Thrill and Adventure Seeking. In addition, the total SSS score was significantly lower in the cervicogenic headache group than in both the chronic tension-type headache group and the healthy controls. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that higher scores for neuroticism-anxiety and depression were associated with chronic tension-type headache, while lower sensation-seeking scores were associated with cervicogenic headache.

Do Personality Traits Mediate the Relationship Between Childhood Abuse and Migraine? An Exploration of the Relationships in Young Adults Using the Add Health Dataset

“…We found that approximately 21% of the total effect of childhood abuse on migraine was explained by mediation through the personality trait of neuroticism in the unadjusted model, while mediation explained 8.7% of the total effect, in the model adjusted for covariates. The results from this study also corroborate earlier investigations in other datasets, demonstrating the relationship of neuroticism with childhood abuse and also with migraine …”

“…The Add Health dataset contains information on many psychological and behavioral variables, such as personality. In this context, it is notable that several studies have shown an independent association between personality traits, mainly neuroticism, and migraine diagnosis . Neuroticism is one of the traits in the “Big Five” personality model, the others being openness to experiences, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness.…”

“…In this context, it is notable that several studies have shown an independent association between personality traits, mainly neuroticism, and migraine diagnosis. [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Neuroticism is one of the traits in the "Big Five" personality model, the others being openness to experiences, conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness. Neuroticism is characterized by emotional instability, fear, nervous disposition, insecurity, temperamental behavior, impatience, self-consciousness, and impulsive behavior.…”

Coping Strategies and personality traits in women patients with migraine and tension type headache

“…Migraine and tension type headache sufferers are often neurotic, anxious, depressed and hypochondriac, or as resentful, hostile, and rigid (6,30,31). This study is consistent with the literature showing associations between migraine, TTH and neuroticism.…”

Personality Characteristics in Migraine and Tension Type Headache

“…It has a major impact on patient's job performance and quality of life, leading to an economic burden on society [10]. Numerous studies have examined the personality structure of patients with primary headache disorders, and it has been found that such patients were mildly anxious and depressed relative to their headache free counterparts [11][12][13]. These patients have generally experienced more adverse events and rated them as more stressful than did headache free volunteers [14].…”