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Coping and support

By Mayo Clinic staff

Living with cluster headache can be very difficult. Cluster headaches can be frightening to you and to your family and friends. The debilitating attacks may seem unbearable. In addition to the physical symptoms, the chronic pain that often accompanies cluster headache attacks can make you anxious or depressed. Ultimately, it may affect your interaction with friends and family, your productivity at work, and the overall quality of your life.

Talking to a counselor or therapist can help you cope with the effects of cluster headache. Or you may find encouragement and understanding in a headache support group. Although support groups aren't for everyone, they can be good sources of information. Group members often know about the latest treatments and tend to share their own experiences. If you're interested, your doctor may be able to recommend a group in your area.

References
  1. Bajwa ZH, et al. Patient information: Headache causes and diagnosis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
  2. Goetz CG. Headache. In: Goetz CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/115317111-2/787037600/1488/451.html. Accessed Dec. 29, 2008.
  3. Leroux E, et al. Cluster headache. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2008;3:20.
  4. Headache: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/headache/detail_headache.htm?css=print. Accessed Dec. 29, 2008.
  5. Bajwa ZH, et al. Approach to the patient with headache syndromes other than migraine. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
  6. Treatment of primary headache: Cluster headache. National Guideline Clearinghouse. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=6582&nbr=004142&string=clus. Accessed Jan. 2, 2009.
  7. Bajwa ZH, et al. Patient information: Headache treatment in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 19, 2008.
  8. Magis D, et al. Neurostimulation in Chronic Cluster Headache. Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2008;12:145.
  9. Rossi P, et al. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with cluster headache: Results of a multi-centre headache clinic survey. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 2008;16:220.
  10. Swanson JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 12, 2009.

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Feb. 7, 2009

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