Congresso Nazionale SISC Open access

P106 | ASSESSMENT OF PERSONALITY TRAITS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC MIGRAINE AND ANALGESIC OVERUSE ACCORDING TO THE ALTERNATIVE DSM-5-TR MODEL: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

E. Principe1|2, M. Pirrotta1, N. Fava1, C. Marchio1, L. Maria Catalano1, A. Barberi1, R. Iannacchero2|3, D. Bosco2|4 | 1National Research Council, Institute of Bioimaging and Complex Biological Systems, Catanzaro, Italy; 2Headache Center, “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy; 3Complex Operational Unit of Neurology, “Renato Dulbecco” University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy; 4Psychiatric Service for Diagnosis and Care, Catanzaro, Italy

Authors

Published
3 November 2026
Section
Congresso Nazionale SISC

Abstract

Background. Chronic migraine associated with medication overuse (MOH) is a highly disabling neurological condition (1,2). The present study aims to explore personality traits and affective comorbidities in this population using the dimensional model of DSM-5-TR.
Methods. Seventy patients (82.9% women; mean age 47.8 years) diagnosed with chronic migraine and MOH according to ICHD-3 criteria were recruited at the Regional Headache Centre of Catanzaro. The assessment was conducted by a senior clinical psychologist and psychotherapist through a clinical interview and the administration of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).
Results. Analysis of PID-5 domains showed elevated scores in Disinhibition (M = 67.8) and Detachment (M = 66.8). Among the facets, Risk Taking (M = 82.6) and Suspiciousness (M = 78.3) were the most pronounced traits. The HADS revealed significant levels of anxiety (M = 9.20), which correlated positively with Disinhibition (r = .615) and Detachment (r = .599). Antagonism showed no significant associations with affective symptomatology.
Conclusions. The findings suggest that the psychological profile of patients with MOH is characterized by anxiety vulnerability, impaired impulse regulation, and social withdrawal (53,54). These personality traits appear to sustain medication overuse behaviours. A multidisciplinary approach integrating neurological management with psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at emotional regulation is therefore essential to improve long-term clinical outcomes.

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