MMPI Profile of Individuals with Migraine

Migraine is characterized by episodes of headache that is often throbbing and frequently unilateral and may be severe. It can cause difficulty with work and life; frequently, if not diagnosed or treated appropriately. In migraine without aura (previously known as common migraine), attacks are usually associated with nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light, sound, or movement. When untreated, these attacks typically last 4 to 72 hours. A combination of features is required for the diagnosis, but not all features are present in every attack or in every patient (Olesen et al. 2000). Approximately one-third of people who suffer migraine headache perceive an aura—unusual visual, olfactory, or other sensory experiences that are a sign that the migraine will soon occur.