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Chronic headache sufferers often must contend with anxiety and depression as a result of the impact on their physical, social, and psychological wellbeing. Time lost from work and the negative impact on the quality of personal and family life is often a significant complication of chronic headaches.

Cluster headache is a very frustrating condition since it is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed which prolongs the suffering of patients until they receive proper treatment. Quality of life studies regarding patients with cluster headaches indicate severe limitations in their ability to function, including:

• Reduced productivity in and out of the workplace
• High proportion of individuals who either limit or stop working
• Significantly negative sense of well-being and quality of life
• Interference with activities of daily living
• Significant negative impact on personal, social, and professional activities

It is important for individuals with cluster headache to educate themselves about their condition in order to play an active role in managing the symptoms and reducing their impact on daily life. Many persons learn coping skills and find comfort from organizations or support groups where they can share common experiences, concerns, and solutions to issues in daily life.

Some strategies that are used by patients to try and maximize quality of life include:

• Relaxation training
• Biofeedback
• Cognitive training intervention to help gain some control over pain, productivity, and activities of daily living.

Some of the suggestions for minimizing the risk of cluster attacks recommended by the National Institutes of Health and the National Headache Foundation (NHF) include:

• Avoiding afternoon naps
• Avoiding use of alcohol especially during a cluster attack
• Avoiding prolonged exposure to chemical agents
• Avoiding excessive bursts of extreme emotion
• Avoiding physical exertion
• Avoiding extreme changes in altitude

It is important for family and friends of the individual with cluster headache to understand what the patient is experiencing during an attack of cluster headache, during a cluster cycle, and the anxiety that may be present during the remission period, and to be supportive and compassionate.

Information regarding ongoing clinical trials in your area can be obtained at the Clinical Trials Listing Service at http://www.centerwatch.com.