Teenagers who have experienced bullying or have had thoughts of suicide may be more prone to frequent headaches, according to a new study published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
The research, conducted by Dr. Serena L. Orr from the University of Calgary in Canada, delved beyond biological factors to explore the psychological and social aspects associated with headaches in adolescents.
THE METHOD
The study involved over 2.2 million teenagers, with an average age of 14 years. Participants self-reported their headaches over the past six months and were categorized based on frequency. Additionally, they were asked about mental health conditions, bullying experiences, and suicidal thoughts or attempts.
THE FINDINGS
The findings revealed that 11% of participants reported frequent, recurring headaches (more than once a week). Of these teens, nearly three times more were victims of bullying compared to their peers. Those who had experienced bullying or had suicidal tendencies were almost twice as likely to suffer from frequent headaches. Similarly, teenagers with diagnosed mood and anxiety disorders were 50% and 74% more likely, respectively, to have frequent headaches.
Teens with frequent headaches were found to be 34% more likely to experience relational bullying (e.g., rumours, exclusion) at least once a month, compared to those with less frequent headaches. Moreover, 34% of teens with frequent headaches had considered or attempted suicide, in contrast to 14% of teens with less frequent headaches.
While the study initially observed a link between gender diverse teens and frequent headaches, this association disappeared after considering additional factors such as bullying, anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies. Dr. Orr emphasized the importance of examining psychosocial factors associated with gender diversity to better understand this connection.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS
The study underscores the significance of preventing and addressing bullying, anxiety, and depression, which are all treatable factors. The results call for further research into interventions for bullying. It also calls for a deeper understanding of how gender diverse youth may be at higher risk for headache disorders.
As policymakers and healthcare professionals work to prevent bullying, the study advocates for increased efforts towards bullying prevention. They also call for screening of children and teens with headache disorders for bullying and suicidal tendencies.
It is important to note that the study relied on self-reported data, which may have some limitations due to potential recall biases.
