Headache due to psychosomatic causes. This is the most common type of headache from the age of 7.
It is caused by stress, depression and anxiety, even fatigue.
It is associated with an oppressive headache (tightening sensation) of the temples, scalp, back of neck and shoulders.
Diagnosis is clinical through the patient's questioning and a physical examination.
It is treated with common analgesics alone or combined with muscle relaxants and/or anxiolytics. The underlying cause must be resolved, in order to avoid its chronification or reappearance. Regular exercise and relaxing activities prevent its appearance.
If the pain does not subside with analgesics or if other neurological symptoms appear, (weakness, loss of sensation, loss of consciousness) a paediatrician should be consulted without delay.
- Hope O'Brien, MD, FAHS. Tension-type headache in children. UpToDate. Jun 01, 2016.
- Bendtsen L, Evers S, Linde M, et al. EFNS guideline on the treatment of tension-type headache - report of an EFNS task force. Eur J Neurol 2010; 17:1318.
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- A. Urbano-Márquez, R. Estruch. Generalidades. Cefalea tensional. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen II. Duodécima edición. 1318:1320.
- Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia 2013; 33:629.
- Bendtsen L, Jensen R. Tension-type headache: the most common, but also the most neglected, headache disorder. Curr Opin Neurol 2006; 19:305.

