What Are the Symptoms of Stress Headaches?

Overview

Stress headaches, also known as tension headaches, can be caused by a variety of reasons: heredity, tightening muscles in the neck and scalp, and stress. Some people suffer from chronic stress headaches, where they occur almost daily and begin almost immediately during a stressful event. While stress headaches may seem like other headaches, stress headache sufferers can also have other symptoms.

A business man sits at his desk, clutching his head in pain. Photo Credit kieferpix/iStock/Getty Images.

Headaches

Besides the stress headaches that occur anytime during the day, some will also experience headaches when they wake up in the morning. These morning headaches resemble the intensity of other headaches, but some people may also feel dizzy on occasion.

Muscle Aches

Some people who have stress headaches also have general muscle aches. While these muscle aches can occur anywhere in the body, they most commonly occur in the neck, where the muscles tighten during the headache.

Sleep Problems

Stress headaches are accompanied by sleep problems. Sufferers have problems falling asleep at night and staying asleep, which can lead to chronic fatigue. These sleep problems can be worse if the stress headaches occur later in the day.

Irritability

Irritability is also a symptom that is associated with stress headaches. The irritability can be caused by the constant headaches, the sleeping issues and the muscle aches.

Concentration

Especially during a stress headache, concentrating can be impaired. Issues with concentration can be temporary or can become chronic if the headaches go untreated.

Sensitivity

Other stress headache sufferers may notice a mild sensitivity to either light or noise. This sensitivity occurs mostly during the stress headache, though it can also happen between headaches.

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