Can Headaches Lead To Suicide? A 25-Year-Long Study Has To Say This

 Can Headaches Lead To Suicide? A 25-Year-Long Study Has To Say This

A comprehensive 25-year cohort study conducted in Denmark has revealed a significant association between various headache disorders and an increased risk of both attempted and completed suicide. The research, published in JAMA Neurology, analyzed data from over 119,000 individuals diagnosed with different types of headaches, including migraines, tension-type headaches, posttraumatic headaches, and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs). 

Key Findings:

Increased Suicide Risk Across All Headache Types: Individuals with headache diagnoses were found to have more than double the risk of attempting suicide and a 40% higher risk of completing suicide compared to those without headache disorders. 

Specific Headache Disorders and Associated Risks:

Posttraumatic Headache: Associated with a more than threefold increase in both attempted and completed suicide rates.

Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (TACs): Linked to nearly double the risk of attempted suicide and more than double the risk of completed suicide.

Tension-Type Headaches: Even individuals with this milder form experienced a 91% higher risk of attempting suicide and a 44% higher risk of completing suicide. 

The study also highlighted that patients with headache disorders often have higher rates of co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions, such as mood disorders and substance use disorders. Despite adjusting for these comorbidities, the association between headaches and increased suicide risk remained significant.

Implications for Healthcare:

These findings underscore the necessity for healthcare providers to incorporate mental health evaluations into the treatment plans for patients presenting with any form of headache disorder. Early identification and intervention for psychiatric symptoms, including depression and suicidal ideation, are crucial steps in reducing the heightened suicide risk associated with these conditions. 

In summary, the Danish cohort study provides compelling evidence that individuals suffering from various headache disorders face a substantially increased risk of suicide. This highlights the importance of comprehensive care approaches that address both the physical and mental health aspects of headache disorders.