Alexithymic features and emotional distress in patients with chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) and medication-overuse headache (MOH)

AIMS: The study examined the role of alexythimia and emotional distress in patients with diagnosis of chronic headaches (tension-type and medication overuse headache). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20)and the Rapid Stress Assessment (RSA) were administered to a sample of 104 patients (day hospital and outpatients) composed by 70 with CTTH and 34 with MOH. RESULTS: In total sample, 16.3% of patients were classified as alexithymics, 20.2% as intermediates and 63.5% as non-alexithymics, according to the TAS-20 criteria. Anxiety and Lack of social support (RSA) showed the higher values, yet the RSA mean profile didn't exceed the normative range. Alexithymics scored higher on all the RSA scales; significant positive correlations were also obtained among RSA and TAS-20 values. MOH patients were more frequently classifi ed as alexithymics and reported higher values on Aggressiveness scale (RSA) compared to CCTH patients. CONCLUSIONS: Findings supported a link between alexithymia and emotional distress, as an index of psychological maladjustment in chronic headache patients.