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WHAT ARE THE CO N SEQU E N C ES? * 59

people to do relatively simple tasks such as naming the President or Prime Minister, knowing what day it is, following instructions, and copying drawings. Regardless of the type of headache, people undergoing them showed significant decline in their thinking skills. When they were not having headaches, their scores went back up to normal. So, the good news is that the cognitive decline is reversible. The bad news is that you really should think twice about driving or operating machinery when you have a headache or migraine.

For those people who have stronger headaches or migraines the advice is simple. If you get a warning that you are going to get a headache or migraine, stop what you are doing and go home while you still can get there safely. If you get no warning, and you are in the throes of a strong headache or migraine, stop what you are doing and try to find a way to get home which does not involve driving. If you cannot get home, make suitable arrangements. It is not always practicable to act on this advice, but you should do so whenever you can.

One other issue needs to be raised. When you are in pain, your mood can change. You canbecome irritable, impatient, andso on. If you can avoidmaking really important decisions at these times, it is desirable. Furthermore, try to avoid getting into an argument with a friend, family member or colleague. The last thing you want is to say something in anger which you later regret or have to try to retract. In addition, arguments are likely to worsen your headache.

The long term

In the longer term, over months or years, having chronic headaches can affect the way you think about the world. They can also affect your behaviour. Any illness or condition over a protracted period of time can do this, and psychologists who study chronic illness are very aware of it.

Those who have had a condition for any length of time will tell you that they are really sick and tired of it. This is ąuite normal and natural. In the case of headaches and migraine, people often start to worry about the next occurrence. They are aware that the condition is ‘hanging over them’, ready to strike. So, after some time, people start to feel uneasy. As we also know, worrying about a headache can induce a headache, and this is particularly