There is quite a reasonable chance that someone you know has had some sort of headache recently, just because there are so many different forms of headaches around. These types of headache could be the result of dehydration, missed meals, migraines or other kinds of headache like a tension headache or even a chronic tension headache.

A tension headache can feel like a tight elastic band around your head, however, the pain from tension headaches goes away after a little while. But imagine having to suffer from a tension headache every day – for weeks. This sort of tension headache is called a chronic tension headache because the pain may be experienced at least 15 days a month for a period of several months.

In the case of chronic tension headaches, the symptoms of the headaches are fairly similar to those of tension headaches, except that the pain never actually seems to go away. People who have had chronic tension headaches, say that the pain is as if they were wearing a pressure band around their heads. Other people have described severe chronic tension headache pain as a hooded cape that drapes down over their shoulders.

In the case of both tension headaches and chronic tension headaches, the pain can be located at the forehead region, sides of the head or sometimes even at the back of the head. At its usual strength the chronic tension headache is a dull, aching pain, although sometimes the pain is like a pressurized tightness. Generally the pain is mild to moderately intense.

The severity of the pain differs with the general physical condition of the individual concerned and it can also vary with the various sorts headaches. Many people begin to experience chronic tension headaches as soon as they wake up in the morning, although others have reported that their chronic tension headaches start in the early hours of the morning.

Normal tension headaches are more common than chronic tension headaches, however twice as many women as men suffer from chronic tension headaches. The duration and the severity of the pain is about the same as a normal tension headache, although the pain from the chronic tension headache is almost a daily occurrence and is also of a continuous nature.

Those who suffer from chronic tension headaches are supposed to be more prone to anxiety and depression than non-sufferers of chronic tension headaches. It is also well-documented that chronic tension headaches occur during or after heightened periods of stress and anxiety. Furthermore, anyone who has mood disorders like depression or anxiety should have these conditions treated before getting their chronic tension headache attended to.

People who suffer from chronic tension headaches can lead normal and fulfilling lives with the proper medication and treatment. In time, they may understand what the triggers of their headaches are and how avoiding these triggers can prevent the onset of a bout of chronic tension headaches.