A child with headache and depression

Abstract

The relationship between chronic headache and depression in children and adolescents is interrelated. The course of chronic primary headache may get complicated with a depressive illness, and children with primary depressive disorder may also have their illness complicated with a primary headache disorder. Therefore, headache and psychiatric disorders (especially depression and anxiety) are frequently comorbid, and as such the management of comorbid conditions, ongoing conflicts, and family psychopathology are important requirement in order to achieve successful management of the headache. This chapter discusses the case of a girl with depression who also presented with a headache disorder. The risk factor, phenotypic characteristics, differential diagnosis, management algorithm, and pointers to good prognosis will also be discussed and highlighted.