Headache Chronification: Screening and Behavioral Management of Comorbid Depressive and Anxiety Disorders

doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2007.00974.x

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Wiley InterScience

Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain

Volume 48 Issue 1, Pages 45 - 50

Published Online: 20 Dec 2007

Published on behalf of the American Headache Society

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The Chronification of Headache

Headache Chronification: Screening and Behavioral Management of Comorbid Depressive and Anxiety Disorders

Todd A. Smitherman, PhD; Morris Maizels, MD; Donald B. Penzien, PhD

From the Head Pain Center, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA (TA Smitherman, DB Penzien); Department of Family Medicine, Kaiser Permanente, Woodland Hills, CA, USA (M Maizels).

Correspondence to Todd A. Smitherman, Head Pain Center, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.

Conflict of Interest: No

KEYWORDS

psychiatric screening • comorbidity • headache chronification • anxiety • depression

(Headache 2008;48:45-50)

ABSTRACT

A growing body of literature implicates comorbid psychopathology as a risk factor for chronification of headache. Despite their prevalence, comorbid psychiatric conditions are not routinely assessed among headache patients. Consequently, efforts to manage such conditions are not commonplace either. The present article briefly reviews a variety of strategies and measures for psychiatric screening among headache patients, focusing primarily on those that have been validated in medical settings, that can be administered quickly, and that involve minimal associated costs. We also describe basic strategies for behavioral management of comorbid depression and anxiety in headache patients.

Accepted for publication August 19, 2007.

DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)

10.1111/j.1526-4610.2007.00974.x About DOI