Anxiety sensitivity, alexithymia, anger and somatosensory amplification in patients with migraine type headache

Aim: In this study, alexithymia, anxiety, somatosensory amplification, and the state-trait anger scale test scores were compared between patients with migraine type headache and individuals making up the healthy control group. Method: 100 patients with migraine type headache who applied to RecepTayyipErdoğan University Training and Research Hospital Neurology Clinic successively between the 1st of January 2013 and the 1st of June 2013 and fulfilled the criteria for participating in the study and 100 healthy voluntary individuals participated in the study. The Socio-Demographic Data Form, SCID-1, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SAS), the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS), and the Spielberg State-Trait Anger Scale and Anger Expression Inventory were administered to all phenomena included in the study. Findings: 65 (65%) of the patients with migraine were female, and 35(35%) of them were male. Of the control group, 57 (57%) were female, and 43(43%) were male. The average age of the patient group was37.87 ±7.8 (25-56) years, and that of the control group was 36.91 ±6.2 (25-55) years. Psychiatric comorbidity was prevalent in the patient group with migraine type headache by 56%. Comparison based on average scores in AST, SAC, and TAS revealed that the scores of the patient group were significantly higher than those of the control group. The patient group had higher scores in comparison to the control group in the Anger Expression Inventory. In addition, a significant difference was detected between two groups in terms of anger expression and anger management. It was seen there was a significant relationship between TAS and trait anger, anger introjection, and anger expression scores. Conclusion: It was found out that many psychological symptoms accompanied the clinical picture among patients with migraine type headache. These psychological symptoms which affect patients 'current treatments and the course of disease may frequently escape the notice of clinicians or be diagnosed wrongly. The present study reveals the necessity of consultation and liaison among clinics. Key words: Migraine Type Headache, Anxiety, Alexithymia, Somatosensory Amplification, Anger.