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Chronic Headache Increases Women’s Depression Risk
By Kerrie Smyres | January 9, 2007
In a recent study of more than 1,000 women with headache, those with chronic headache were four times more likely to report symptoms of major depression than women whose headaches are episodic. Chronic headache sufferers were also three times more likely to report other headache-related symptoms, such as low energy, trouble sleeping and dizziness.
I’m astonished by this finding: “The women with a diagnosis of severely disabling migraine had a 32-fold
increased risk of major depression if they also reported other severe
symptoms.” Thirty-two times. (If you fall into this category, as I do, consider putting someone on depression patrol — someone you see often and that you will listen to when they tell you that you seem depressed. It really helps.)
There’s a lot of debate over which comes first, pain or depression. There is no clear-cut answer, a topic that the study’s author broaches diplomatically: “Painful physical symptoms may provoke or be a manifestation of major depression in women with chronic headache, and depression may heighten pain perception.” Well put.
Topics: Biology, News | 3 Comments »
January 11th, 2007 at 10:09 am
Scary but not surprising. I see so many women generally unhappy and always ‘sick and tired’. If only doctors would act accordingly.
January 15th, 2007 at 6:35 am
I found my way over here via Jackie at Life inl the Canadian Desert, so I’m kind of de-lurking.
I came across that statistic about migraine and depression a few weeks ago and posted about it. It is a bit of a “chicken and egg” thing, isn’t it? Whether the depression or the migraines come first is less important than getting relief for both.
thanks for this post.
January 16th, 2007 at 11:10 am
I’ve learned that this report isn’t quite accurate. Here’s more information: http://www.thedailyheadache.com/2007/01/women_migraine_.html
Kerrie