BEHAVIOR DURING A CLUSTER HEADACHE

Because cluster headache is short-lasting and tends to occur during th e early morning hours, physicians rarely witness an attack. Accurate d iagnosis is important because effective treatments are available. The diagnosis is made from the history of temporal pattern, reddening and tearing of the affected eye, and ipsilateral nasal congestion. An addi tional diagnostic aid is to invite patients to demonstrate how they re spond to attacks. The pain, one of the worst known, causes extreme res tlessness. 50 patients showed how they walk around, sit (or kneel) and rock, and clutch the affected side of the head. Diagnostic value apar t, the patient will often be relieved to learn that bizarre behavioura l responses are not a mark of insanity.