Motor vehicle accidents, headaches and post-traumatic stress disorder: assessment findings in a consecutive series.
Results of 20 consecutive cases referred for post-traumatic headache (PT-HA) to a psychological practice were assessed for both psychiatric and neurological diagnoses. Nineteen of the 20 cases (95%) had a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, with 15 presenting with a post-traumatic stress disorder. Prior headache history was reported for only 25% of the referred patients, while a prior psychiatric disorder was found for 7 (35%) of the cases. Findings suggest that consideration of a psychiatric disorder should be made for PT-HA patients.
Hickling
E J
EJ
Capital Psychological Associates, Albany, NY 12208.
Blanchard
E B
EB
Silverman
D J
DJ
Schwarz
S P
SP
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*