Headache complaints and the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
The association between severe headaches and suicidal thoughts or behaviors is generally attributed to underlying depression, but it is plausible that severe headaches can lead to suicidal thoughts/behaviors, independent of the effects of psychiatric conditions. This association has been observed in only 1 previous study. Our multivariate analysis examined the longitudinal association between severe headaches and development of suicidal thoughts/behaviors over a period of 1 to 2 years among 6832 community-dwelling adults interviewed during the Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. Severe headaches were significantly associated with developing suicidal thoughts/behaviors after adjusting for psychiatric diagnoses and demographics [adjusted odds ratio (ORa) = 1.48; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04, 2.11], or additionally adjusting for interaction between anxiety and depression (ORa = 1.52; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.16). These results suggest that individuals with severe headaches should be screened for suicidal thoughts/behaviors, irrespective of the presence of a psychiatric condition.
Woolley
Stephen B
SB
Burlingame Center for Psychiatric Research and Education, The Institute of Living, Hartford, Connecticu 06106, USA. swoolle@harthosp.org
Fredman
Lisa
L
Goethe
John W
JW
Lincoln
Alisa K
AK
Heeren
Timothy
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D033182:Intention; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult