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Asgari Ghalebin S S, Mikaeili N. Investigating the Effectiveness of Short-Term Dynamic Group Psychotherapy on the Severity of Migraine Headaches and Histrionic Personality Disorder Symptoms. MEJDS 2023; 13 :165-165
URL: http://jdisabilstud.org/article-1-3051-en.html
Investigating the Effectiveness of Short-Term Dynamic Group Psychotherapy on the Severity of Migraine Headaches and Histrionic Personality Disorder Symptoms
Seyede Sahar Asgari Ghalebin *1 , Niloofar Mikaeili2
1- PhD Candidate in Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran
2- Professor, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Mohaghegh Ardabili University, Ardabil, Iran
Abstract:   (794 Views)

Abstract
Background & Objectives: Histrionic personality disorder is characterized primarily by intense emotions expressed in histrionic ways and attempts to seek others' attention, approval, or support through covert or overt seductive behavior. In addition to theatrical/seductive inappropriate interpersonal communication styles, this disorder is characterized by flexibility and sexualization tendencies. It seems that for the effective treatment of these individuals, the target should be their inner conflicts and intrinsic anxiety. A significant correlation between histrionic personality disorder and chronic migraine has been reported. Intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) is an optimal, modern treatment to address this issue. Based on the model of short-term psychotherapy, physical syndromes, such as longstanding migraine headaches, are caused by psychological anxiety and conflicts that often stem from childhood experiences. This research was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of short-term dynamic group psychotherapy on the severity of migraine headaches and histrionic personality disorder symptoms. 
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest-posttest design with a control group. The study's statistical population comprised all clients from a psychology clinic in Tehran City, Iran, in 2021-2022. Of whom, 24 clients (16 women and 8 men) were selected purposefully and completed the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) (Stewart et al., 1999) and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) (Milon & Davis, 1997). Then, they were randomly assigned to two groups: short-term dynamic psychotherapy (n=10) and control (n=10). The inclusion criteria included participation in all therapy sessions and being committed to group rules such as arriving on time and confidentiality. Since the participants in this research had been suffering from severe migraine headaches for many years and did not respond well to medication, eliminating the use of drugs for migraine was not one of the inclusion criteria. Simultaneous participation in other psychotherapy programs, having a history of psychosis, addiction, and lack of strong impulse control were other criteria for excluding the research. The exclusion criteria included the absence of more than two sessions and the unwillingness to cooperate in the research. Then, the intervention consisted of 16 group therapy sessions (one hour each) based on the ISTDP protocol implemented for the experimental group. One week after the last therapy session, the posttest was performed for both groups. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis at a significance level 0.05 with SPSS24 software.
Results: The analysis of covariance indicated that short-term dynamic group psychotherapy significantly influenced the severity of migraine headaches in individuals with a histrionic personality disorder (p=0.010) with a 46% effect size. Further, the intervention significantly affected the symptoms of histrionic personality disorder (p<0.001) with a 52% effect size.
Conclusion: According to the results, short-term dynamic group psychotherapy is effective in reducing the severity of neurotic migraine headaches and the symptoms of histrionic personality disorder. Thus, its use is suggested in the treatment of people with migraine headaches and histrionic personality disorder.

Keywords: Short-term dynamic psychotherapy, Migraine headaches, Histrionic personality disorder
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Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Psychology
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