A cross sectional study assessing psychiatric co-morbidities in patients with headache

Headache represents the most common and incapacitating public health issue, with a lifetime prevalence of 64%. Headache are classified into two key categories: primary and secondary headaches. “Primary headaches” constitute ninety percent of all headaches, with “migraine and tension headaches” being the most prevalent types. Migraine and tension-type headaches are widely recognized responses to both psychological and physiological stressors. Individuals experiencing migraine alongside psychiatric comorbidities exhibit developed headache occurrence and greater impact than those without such comorbidities. Numerous studies have characterized headaches as the primary somatic manifestation of depression in both primary care and general healthcare settings, often accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, dizziness, palpitations, and disturbances in sleep patterns. Shared biological pathways and the involvement of neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin provide a plausible explanation for the coexistence and interactions between pain disorders and depressive and anxiety disorders. There is a paucity of information concerning the study of psychiatric comorbidities in subjects with headache. Therefore, the present study is undertaken to evaluate the prevalence and severity of psychiatric comorbidities among patients diagnosed with various types of headaches.