Phobias, other psychiatric comorbidities and chronic migraine

Abstract

Background: Comorbidity of chronic migraine (CM) with psychiatric disorders, mostly anxiety and mood disorders, is a well-recognized phenomenon. Phobias are one of the most common anxiety disorders in the general population. Phobias are more common in migraineurs than non-migraineurs. The clinical profile of phobias in CM has never been studied.

Method: We investigated the psychiatric profile in 56 patients with CM using the SCID I/P interview.

Results: Lifetime criteria for at least one mental disorder was found in 87.5% of the sample; 75% met criteria for at least one lifetime anxiety disorder and 60.7% of our sample fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for lifetime phobic avoidant disorders. Mood and anxiety scores were higher in phobic patients than in non-phobic CM controls. Number of phobias correlated with higher levels of anxiety and depression.

Conclusion: Phobias are common in CM. Its recognition may influence its management. Early treatment may lead to better prognosis.