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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Anger
        
(Message started by: ManOnFire on May 25^th, 2006, 12:00am)

Title: Anger
Post by ManOnFire on May 25^th, 2006, 12:00am

Anyone else feel rage during an attack. When the pain is between a 6-9 I just feel like hitting something or someone. Sometimes Ill punch a wall or something so i can feel some pain in my knuckles and try and focus on that pain to block out the pain from the headache. It doesn't really work but I do it anyway. Last night I had the worst attack of my life. 1030 pm - 2am, didnt sleep a wink. When it was gone I actually thanked God and im not even religious

Title: Re: Anger
Post by AussieBrian on May 25^th, 2006, 12:05am

Anger, or just sheer bloody frustration? I know which mine is.

Title: Re: Anger
Post by Bob_Johnson on May 25^th, 2006, 10:46am

While there are some neurological/psychiatric conditions which produce rage as part of the disorder, CH is not one of them.

I assume you are experiencing an emotional generated response to the attack, i.e., anger = "I don't want....[fill in the blank]".

When our want is frustrated this generates anger which can run the range from irritation to rage--but the core mechanism is the same, frustrated "want".

Title: Re: Anger
Post by sandie99 on May 25^th, 2006, 11:04am

Anger, no. Irritated, oh yes.

Sanna

Title: Re: Anger
Post by SophiaK on May 25^th, 2006, 4:00pm

When I get slammed I called it dirty names. That's it, then I try to stay calm and distract myself as much as possible till it's over. I'm careful not to do anything too important, I tend to get careless with half a brain working. Disassociation with it as best I can.

Title: Re: Anger
Post by Richr8 on May 25^th, 2006, 4:20pm

Yeah, I get angry as hell, but never violent.

Title: Re: Anger
Post by kcopelin on May 25^th, 2006, 5:47pm

Actually, I feel rage alot during attacks. And the center of the brain that is involved in rage -could it be the hypothalmus? Any ideas here? Of course I could just be an a**hole, but I'm not usually rage-filled.
I believe I will do some research....Back in bit...
kathy

Title: Re: Anger
Post by Redd715 on May 25^th, 2006, 6:01pm

Quote:

Pain and aggression: Some findings and implications

Leonard Berkowitz1

(1) University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin

Abstract Consistent with the cognitive-neoassociationistic conception of anger and emotional aggression, a wide variety of studies with animal as well as human subjects demonstrate that pain often gives rise to an inclination to hurt an available target, and also, at the human level, that people in pain are apt to be angry. However, and also in accord with the present formulation, these primitive angry/aggressive reactions can be suppressed, intensified, or modified by cognitive processes.

http://www.springerlink.com/(ldncywzzhqf41055a41d10q5)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=issue,7,8;journal,47,113;linkingpublicationresults,1:105583,1

Possibly someone more research savy can find the article in it's entirity?

Title: Re: Anger
Post by Mattrf on May 25^th, 2006, 6:48pm

Anger is part of this, and my first time in cycle lasted nine months and I got so mean that I no longer could tell if I was being mean or not and had no control over it. My wife and kids would tell me I bit there heads off and I would swear I didn’t. I would even try and listen to myself and to me I sounded fine but to them it was a different story. I even went so far as to put sticky notes all over the house saying be nice so I would remind myself to try and keep control. I was lucky my mirage survived it. I didn’t know what I had then and now that I do it makes it a bit easier to deal with the anger and my wife and kids say I am much better at controlling it this time, don’t get me wrong I have blown a few gaskets just not near as many as the first time and I have learned to recognize when I do it and apologize as fast as I can and they to have learned that I don’t mean it and that I really am sorry and don’t have full control over it. It sucks that we tend to take it out on those who deserve it the least and support us the most.

Title: Re: Anger
Post by kcopelin on May 25^th, 2006, 7:07pm

www.accd.edu/pac/science/hopper/Biol2401/Unit5/NSNotes2.htm
Biol 2401 Anatomy & Physiology I Nervous System #2
2. Hypothalmus
•Below the thalamus, caps the top of the brain stem
•Connects to the pituitary gland via the infundibulum
•Vitally important to overall body homeostasis.
•Roles:
1. Regulates the autonomic nervous system
2. Center for emotional response and behavior - involved in the perception of pain, pleasure, fear and rage as well as biological rhythms and drives.
3. Body temperature regulation - responds to changes in blood temperature
4. Regulation of food intake - monitors blood glucose and other nutrients.
5. Regulation of water balance and thirst - osmoreceptors activated when body fluids become too concentrated.
Trigger release of antidiuretic hormone from the posterior pituitary.
6. Regulation of sleep-wake cycles
7. Control of endocrine system by producing releasing factors and synthesizing two hormones (ADH and oxytocin).
http://neuro.psyc.memphis.edu/NeuroPsyc/np-ugp-emotionf.htm
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY/BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE C J Long Anatomy of Emotion
Hypothalamus -- Integration
Rage follows Dorsomedial nucleus stimulation
Partially integrated Anterior and lateral hypothalamus, preoptic, septum, posterior hypothalamus are distinct systems--mediate flight, fight, attack (no pleasure)

So, the hypothalamus is involved in rage, and body temp, and a bunch of other stuff. Since we know CHs hypothalamus is “different”, then it makes sense that things like rage response and temp changes, ect.. might be affected.
My two cents worth. Which is all I can afford.
Kathy

Title: Re: Anger
Post by Dave on May 25^th, 2006, 8:39pm

No rage here. Just want to run away and not see anyone.

Title: Re: Anger
Post by thebbz on May 25^th, 2006, 10:03pm

All of the above ::)
jb

Title: Re: Anger
Post by teajay5779 on May 26^th, 2006, 8:49am

Yea I get angry, when they return(last night), when their real bad and when it comes at a bad time >:( >:(

Title: Re: Anger
Post by Bob_Johnson on May 26^th, 2006, 8:52am

While it is possible to identify parts of the brain which are involved in various mental processes (anger, rational thought, etc.) it's important to not fall into the trap of assuming this means we have no control over those mental activities. We all know how much of our growing up experiences are aimed at understanding and developing controls over our impulses--and we are surrounded with many people who, occupying adult bodies, still live at the level of impulsive junior high kids!

Another message mentions cognitive psychology as having some insights to offer. Following is a message which deals with its use in controlling the anxiety which is often associated with CH. These cognitive techniques can also be used to alter the anger responses.
----------------
----------------
When we read someone writing about their dread of CH or the anxiety of waiting for the next attack, we are seeing the emotional effects of CH. These reactions are not fixed even by good medical treatment of the Clusters. I first wrote these paragraphs for OUCH a couple of years ago but it did not make the cut when the site was reorganized but I'll be glad to send it to anyone who will send me their e-mail address (use instant message button). (The whole thing is too large to be posted here.) The approach outlined to reduce suffering is developed from cognitive therapy, a well researched therapy used by mental health types. But don't ask for it unless you accept that it takes practice and commitment to make it work! There is no Imitrex injection for this problem.

------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------
AT THE HEART OF THESE PARAGRAPHS is the recognition that pain and suffering are rather different experiences which can and must be changed by rather different responses. The pain of our CH is the subject of many of the messages we exchange, the topic fills the medical literature we read, and is the primary purpose for the multiple visits to doctors.

Suffering is quite a different animal. It is an emotional/psychological condition which is often experienced even when there is no pain; it is commonly experienced as fear, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, dread, and fearful anticipation.

Suffering is a normal, even automatic, response to pain, loss (as in death, divorce, or other major losses), and a host of other difficult experiences. However, suffering can be intensified, sustained, and even created quite independently of any of these experiences. In the case of our CH, suffering is too often experienced when we are not having attacks.

The hard paradox is: WE CAN SUFFER EVEN WHEN WE ARE NOT IN PAIN! This is the paradox which we need to resolve if CH is not to be the controlling experience in life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Title: Re: Anger
Post by Sandy_C on May 26^th, 2006, 4:30pm

Anger? yes, when I first began having these "headaches" I
was scared to death. I was angry a God, the world, life,
everything. I went through the "why me?" crap I dreaded
the evening hours and the nights because that is when my
hits were at the worst. I could not control what was
happening to me and I was mad as hell about it.

Then I found this place. I read, I learned about CH, my
family physician of 20 years worked with me, learned with
me, and between the two of us and CH.com, I am now in
control. Yes, I still get my cycles, yes they still hurt unlike
anything I've ever experienced in my life, but I'm now the
boss. I'm armed with the knowledge I've gained, and the tools I need to combat my pain. I've learned it's a waste of energy to get angry when I need every ounce of strength and energy to get though a cycle. I guess I've become philosophical about my CH. It's a part of my life, part of me, I'll have to live with it for the rest of my life, so be it. I'll handle it.

Sandy

Title: Re: Anger
Post by bpdertcdr on May 27^th, 2006, 8:49pm

Very wise words Sandy ... I get extremely angry during an attack ... but you are right ... why should I waste any bit of energy that could help abort.

Thank you for your logic.

Title: Re: Anger
Post by clusterdeb on May 28^th, 2006, 5:42pm

Hey, I don't know how to do the quote but, I was reading kcoplin reply.
Do any of you guys have thyroid problems?????
I am hypothyroid.
Just wondering if this could be conected, although the thyroid is located in the neck, it is a gland like the hypothalamus.