Preface

Headaches run the gamut from an annoying experience to a symptom of a life altering disorder. While “Not tonight dear, I have a headache,” may exist in the common parlance, this statement points to the complex interaction between biology and psychology in the experience of a headache. Psychiatric syndromes are commonly comorbid with headaches. Therefore, any practitioner treating one disorder is likely to encounter the other. There is a well-documented bidirectional influence on the treatment of these disorders; however, it is not always a positive influence. Understanding the complexities of how the conditions and their management influence each disorder is key to a successful treatment outcome of the patient’s suffering. This book is directed towards practicing neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and others involved in the care of headache sufferers. We have brought specialists together from a wide variety of disciplines in order to address the dramatic complexity of the headache sufferer. We would like to thank the chapter authors who have contributed important information relevant to the care of these individuals. They have given generously of their time, their knowledge, and their clinical expertise to guide practitioners in understanding and treating this diverse patient population.