New daily persistent headache and panic disorder

Cephalalgia. 2011 Jan;31(2):250-3. doi: 10.1177/0333102410383588. Epub 2010 Sep 17.

Abstract

Background: New daily persistent headache (NDPH) is a primary chronic daily headache that is generally considered to be difficult to treat. Migraine has been linked to comorbid psychiatric conditions, mainly mood and anxiety disorders, but NDPH has never been linked to psychiatric conditions, and never studied extensively for such an association.

Case: We report nine cases (six women and three men) of patients diagnosed with NDPH and panic disorder who were treated for both conditions. Six of them (66%) had good or excellent responses.

Conclusion: The spectrum of anxiety disorders, particularly panic disorder, should be considered in NDPH patients. Simultaneous treatment of both disorders may lead to good outcomes.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Headache Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Headache Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panic Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Panic Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Young Adult