ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights specific considerations regarding headache patients. Assessment of headaches is aimed at achieving a better understanding of the development, maintenance and dynamics of headaches. The assessment module gives the patient plenty of opportunity to explore the consequences of the brain injury, the details of the headaches and contextual problems. The clinical interview conducted in an empathetic and understanding manner will elicit factual and psychosocial markers of the headache and enable the clinician to ask clarifying questions linked to the individual circumstances of the patient. Questionnaires are used to quantify the experience in order to evaluate patients' progress and they may be used for service audits. The assessment process is in line with the stages in therapy. A first focus is concerned with headache symptoms and facts. The second focus is on personality and lifestyle opportunities. The third important area is the investigation of social interactions.
