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Published on: June 2, 2014
Mood and anxiety disorders in chronic headache
Steven M Baskin1, Gay L Lipchik, Todd A Smitherman
1New England Institute for Behavioral Medicine, Stamford, CT 06902, USA.
Headache
|October 13, 2006
Summary
Headache patients often have co-occurring mood and anxiety disorders, which can complicate treatment. Early identification and management of these psychiatric conditions are crucial for improving headache outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Recurrent headache disorders are common, but severe psychopathology is not typical.
- High rates of comorbidity exist between headache disorders and mood/anxiety disorders.
- Psychiatric comorbidity can negatively impact headache treatment response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe mood and anxiety disorders commonly associated with migraine, tension-type headache, and chronic daily headache.
- To provide recommendations for assessing comorbid mood and anxiety disorders in headache patients.
- To discuss the clinical implications of these comorbidities on headache management and outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of population-based and clinical studies.
- Description of common mood and anxiety disorders linked to headache types.
- Overview of assessment strategies and treatment options for comorbid conditions.
Main Results:
- Mood and anxiety disorders frequently co-occur with various headache types.
- Psychiatric comorbidity is associated with poorer headache treatment prognosis.
- Early identification of psychopathology is important for effective headache management.
Conclusions:
- Addressing comorbid mood and anxiety disorders is essential for improving headache treatment outcomes.
- Integrated care approaches are warranted for patients with headache and psychiatric conditions.
- Further research should focus on optimizing treatment strategies for this patient population.
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