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Can depression cause headaches?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on April 21, 2025.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Yes, headaches can be a symptom of depression, among many other symptoms such as feeling sad, tearful and loss of interest in everyday activities. An association with depression has also been identified in patients with migraine headaches. Severe headaches may also cause a person to feel depressed.

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, can make it difficult to engage in day-to-day activities with family, work and social life. Medical treatment is required as depression does not go away on its own, but treatment is very effective for most patients. In general, you may feel unhappy most of the time but do not know why.

Many patients may initially seek help for physical symptoms such as headaches, pain, stomach problems, or other symptoms. Once the depression is diagnosed and treated, the physical symptoms often improve.

Learn more: List of Medications for Depression

Prescription medications, psychotherapy (talk therapy), or a combination of two work well to help control symptoms of depression in adults, which may include:

Children, adolescents and older patients exhibit symptoms of depression similar to adults, but there can be some differences.

Depression is not a normal symptom of aging but is frequently undiagnosed. Symptoms especially prevalent may also include:

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References
  • Chu HT, Liang CS, Lee JT, et al. C. Associations Between Depression/Anxiety and Headache Frequency in Migraineurs: A Cross-Sectional Study. Headache. 2018 Mar;58(3):407-415. doi: 10.1111/head.13215
  • Depression. Drugs.com. Accessed April 29, 2021 at https://www.drugs.com/mcd/depression-major-depressive-disorder#symptoms
  • Depression. Mayo Clinic. Drugs.com. Accessed April 29, 2021 at https://www.drugs.com/depression.html

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