Exploration on the Correlation between Cluster Headache and Anxiety State Based on the "Liver Governing Dispersal" Function

Cluster headache, known for its severe pain intensity, remains a significant medical challenge both domestically and internationally. The incidence of cluster headache is notably higher in individuals with anxiety, yet Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) lacks a systematic consensus on its pathogenesis. Conventional Western medical treatments often yield poor results, making it difficult to cure, which severely impacts patients' quality of life, disrupts their work, and leads to economic losses. Guided by the theory of the "Liver Governing Dispersal" function, this paper explores the pathogenesis of cluster headache from the perspective of emotional disorders. Based on its clinical characteristics and modern research, it is concluded that cluster headache is often accompanied by an anxiety state. The discussion centers on liver qi stagnation, which obstructs the flow of qi, leading to pain ("obstruction causes pain"), and the impairment of the circulation of qi, blood, and body fluids, resulting in inadequate nourishment of the head and face, which also causes pain ("malnourishment causes pain"). This in-depth analysis holds significant importance for the prevention and treatment of this disease.