Emotional and behavioral disorders in pediatric episodic tension headaches

Episodic tension type headaches are common in the pediatric population. Concurrent behavioral and emotional disorders could significantly impact treatment options and therapeutic response. Children and adolescents from our multi-disciplinary headache clinic with episodic tension type headaches (according to International Classification of Headache Disorders-II) criteria were evaluated prospectively for presence of concurrent psychologic disorders with standardized psychologic batteries and case controls were used for comparison. Parents frequently reported behavioral symptoms, but only oppositional defiant disorder was significantly represented with anxiety disorders also very common. Presence of concurrent psychiatric disorders did not influence headache treatment response.