ADULTS with chronic headaches are nearly five times more likely to have depression and face more than seven times the risk of developing anxiety, a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis has found.
More than 40% of adults with chronic headache conditions experience depression or anxiety.
Chronic Headaches with Depression and Anxiety
Researchers searched databases from 2013 to 2024 and analysed the prevalence of depression and anxiety among individuals without a headache condition, with an episodic headache disorder, and with chronic headache conditions.
Chronic headaches were defined as those that are present more than 15 days per month or for more than 3 months.
In 48 eligible studies, clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression were present in 43.1% and 45.9% of adults with chronic headaches, respectively.
Compared to those without headaches, adults with chronic headaches were 4.86 times more likely to have clinical symptoms of depression and 7.06 times more likely to have clinical symptoms of anxiety.
Adults with chronic headaches were more than twice as likely to experience symptoms of both depression and anxiety compared with people with episodic headaches.
Headache condition and location moderated the prevalence of depression but not anxiety.
Mental Health Screening
Nearly half of adults with chronic headaches experience comorbid depression or anxiety.
Researchers emphasised the urgent need for better mental health screening and treatment in the relevant population.
Sociodemographic and Comorbidity Profiles
In 2010, the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention study found that people with chronic migraine had statistically significant lower levels of household income compared with adults with episodic migraine.
Those with chronic migraine were also less likely to be employed full time and more likely to be occupationally disabled.
Respiratory disorders including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiac factors including hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity were also significantly more likely to be reported by those with chronic migraine.
Chronic Pain with Depression and Anxiety
Chronic pain exhibits similar patterns to chronic headache conditions with depression and anxiety.
Among more than 347,400 people with chronic pain, researchers previously found that approximately 40% had clinically significant depression or anxiety.
Women, younger people, and people with nociplastic pain were most likely to have anxiety or depression, again emphasising the need for better screening in high risk populations.
References
Ravyts SG et al. Depression and anxiety in adults with chronic headache conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pain. 2026;DOI:10.1016/j.jpain.2025.105610.
Buse DC et al. Sociodemographic and comorbidity profiles of chronic migraine and episodic migraine sufferers. Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2010;81:428-432.
Aaron RV et al. Prevalence of depression and anxiety among adults with chronic pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(3):DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.0268.
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