Emotional Problems in Pediatric Headache Patients.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review was to summarize current reports regarding emotional problems in children and adolescents with primary headaches. Emotional problems include those related to personality, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders.

RECENT FINDINGS: Alexithymia-like characteristics and internalized personality characteristics are considered to worsen primary headaches. Comorbid psychiatric traits such as depression and anxiety have been observed. When neurodevelopmental disorders coexist, it is necessary to pay attention not only to emotional problems but also to the side effects of concomitant drug and history of abuse. There are few reports with strong evidence for the pharmacological treatment of headaches accompanied by emotional problems. Understanding emotional problems at an initial consultation and examining the application of psychotherapy could help improve the outcome of headaches in children and adolescents.