The coexistence of anxiety and depressive personality traits in migraine

Tan HJ, Suganthi C, Dhachayani S, Mohd Rizal AM, Raymond AA
Correspondence: Dr Tan Hui Jan, tanhuijan@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
Introduction Migraine is associated with a variety of personality traits. The objective of this study was to reevaluate the personality traits using Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) in migraine patients diagnosed by applying the new International Classification of Headache Disorders-2 criteria.
Methods This was a case control study involving 70 migraine patients and 70 age- and gender-matched controls. The personality traits in the two groups were analysed using the MMPI. Data was analysed using the chi-square test.
Results The migraine patients showed a higher MMPI score on the following personality traits: depression (39 versus 15, p-value is less than 0.0005), and anxiety (24 versus 11, p-value equals 0.011). Both depressive and anxiety personality traits were significantly higher in migraine patients.
Conclusion All migraine patients should probably be screened for their personality traits and psychopathology using the MMPI.

Keywords: anxiety, depressive traits, migraine, personality traits, psychopathology
Singapore Med J 2007; 48(4): 307–310