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Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 2/2013

01-02-2013 | Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (MS Matharu, Section editor)

The Psychiatric Comorbidities of Cluster Headache

Author: Matthew S. Robbins

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 2/2013

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Abstract

Although the comorbidity of migraine has been extensively studied, the relationships between cluster headache and psychiatric disease have not been well-addressed. In this review the available literature concerning cluster headache and depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, aggression, suicide, and their implications are discussed. Potential mechanisms, confounding variables, and unanswered questions are also addressed.
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Metadata
Title
The Psychiatric Comorbidities of Cluster Headache
Author
Matthew S. Robbins
Publication date
01-02-2013
Publisher
Current Science Inc.
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0313-8

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