Talk:Angor animi

Angor animi and Migraine
This stub could mistakenly alarm those whose physician has diagnosed the symptom, not disease, 'angor animi'. It is referred to as a dysfunction of the circulatory system. Further reading of the primary literature tells us of people dying from it alone. Angor animi is also a symptom of classical migraine, usually harmless and easily treated.

Angor animi may be more common than documented: one friend, who described an indescribable terror (prodrome), reticular vision grading to an image of the world identical to that on van Gogh's canvasses (aura), then throbbing temple (pain) knew his physician would consider him mentally disturbed, as van Gogh was.

Migraine, like epilepsy, can appear in many guises. Though I'm only a geologist, conversations with other migraineurs suggests 'angor animi' is a not an uncommon early indication of classical migraines. I've learned to recognize it; yet, I still ask my wife to check me every ten minutes during an attack (to see whether I'm alive). Yesterday's attack was followed by no headache, but sciatica (which gives me the time to contribute this comment :-). (Sciatica can be a migraine pain substitute.)

'Angor animi' is a subjective sensation that, in my experience, either varies in intensity or comes in distinct kinds. The less severe is well described here as a certainty of imminent death, though the person may be confused and view the sensation less clearly as a vague, but very severe, mental anguish. The more severe kind was best described in the 1st edition of Oliver Sach's book 'Migraine' as, I believe, an abandonment by God. This variety or degree is truly terrifying, even to those who have little or no fear of death.

My suggestion is that the article be 'softened' to not unduly alarm those with a symptom diagnosed as 'angor animi'. We all feel, I'm sure, it is important that those who experience it know in advance that it is frighteningly ushering in very painful, but probably harmless, angina or headache, not death. The neurological literature has likely made this clear.

'Angor animi' should be easy to diagnose. Some sufferers of classical migraine shuttered in fear at just the words 'migraine' or 'headache'. The neurological literature should offer good, diagnostic criteria.

Geologist (talk) 18:29, 24 February 2010 (UTC) PhD, Migraineur
 * I have flagged the page as being in need of additional sources. Thank you. 71.252.113.85 (talk) 22:51, 19 April 2011 (UTC)