[Tension-type headache and mental disorders in children]

Based on the analysis of current literature, the authors reviewed diagnostic aspects and the relationship between tension-type headache (TH) and mental disorders in 78 children, aged from 7 to 15 years, admitted to a neurological unit in 2004-2007 and in 45 children admitted to a psychiatric hospital. The latter group included 22 patients with depressive episodes, 11 with anxiety-phobic disorder and 12 with schizotypal personality disorder. The comparison of clinical features of headache in these groups revealed that TH was associated with mental disorders and chronic TH in most cases was a symptom of a mental disease (primarily depression). The authors stress the importance of the interdisciplinary approach to investigation, diagnosis and treatment of chronic headache in children.