POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER IN CHRONIC POSTTRAUMATIC HEADACHE PATIENTS

The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was examined i n a sample of chronic post-traumatic headache patients. All subjects h ad been injured in a motor vehicle accident and had developed headache or experienced marked exacerbation of an existing headache condition as a result. Nearly 30% of the sample was diagnosed with PTSD. Depress ion and suppressed anger were significantly higher in subjects with PT SD compared to the rest of the sample. Those with PTSD were more likel y to have a history of headache prior to the accident than subjects wi thout PTSD. Comparisons between the PTSD and non-PTSD groups on other headache and demographic variables were non-significant. The importanc e of evaluating post-traumatic headache patients for the presence of P TSD is discussed.