- Does Migraine Cause Anxiety
- How Does Migraine Impact Mental Health
- Strategies for Managing Migraine, Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety and migraine are old friends. When you experience migraine, you can’t help worrying: Is my manager going to be upset that I’m missing work again? What does this symptom mean? What happens if I run out of medication this month? Is this attack going to be a bad one? Will I ever feel normal again? For some people, these migraine-related worries may grow and become an anxiety disorder.
Migraine is a neurological disorder, not a psychological condition. However, there seems to be a relationship between migraine and anxiety disorders. People with frequent migraine attacks are more likely to experience mental health challenges like depression and anxiety.
So, does migraine cause anxiety? Or does anxiety cause migraine?
This is a question researchers haven’t been able to answer definitively. Many suggest that the relationship is bidirectional — migraine may trigger anxiety, and anxiety can exacerbate migraine. With almost 60% of individuals with migraine reporting an anxiety disorder, the fact that there is a link between anxiety and migraine is clear.
Understanding the complex relationship between migraine and anxiety remains important for scientists so that they can help people living with these two conditions manage them. If you feel like anxiety or migraine are preventing you from doing the things you want to do, keep reading. When you understand the science and the treatment options, you can avoid missing out on life and start doing the things you love.
What is an anxiety migraine?
An anxiety migraine involves experiencing migraine symptoms alongside anxiety. You may experience anxiety before migraine if the thought of an attack makes you anxious. Migraine can also be a symptom of your anxiety. If you experience anxiety after migraine, it could be due to a difference in serotonin levels. The two have a clear link, although researchers are still working on more details.
What is migraine-anxiety-related dizziness (MARD)?
People with MARD experience anxiety and migraine with dizziness — also known as vestibular migraine — simultaneously.
Managing MARD means addressing its physical and psychological symptoms. It starts with identifying migraine triggers and avoiding stressors that lead to heightened anxiety. A healthy lifestyle and calming techniques like meditation can help with both conditions.
Which anxiety disorders are most often associated with migraine?
There are five main types of anxiety disorders:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): People with GAD are more likely to experience migraine and other headaches. When you have GAD, you worry a lot about everyday things, have trouble controlling your worries and know you worry more than you should. Other symptoms include feeling restless, tired, irritable, having difficulty concentrating and having trouble sleeping.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD is also commonly associated with migraine. Symptoms of OCD include uncontrollable, repeated thoughts and repetitive behaviors.
- Panic disorder: People with panic disorder experience sudden panic attacks characterized by overwhelming fear and anxiety. They also feel a loss of control and intense foreboding. Panic attack symptoms can include trouble breathing, dizziness, tingling extremities, chest pain, nausea, shaking, sweating and chills.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD is highly comorbid with migraine and other chronic pain conditions. Recent studies show genetics and the environment both play a role. Symptoms include flashbacks, trouble sleeping, angry outbursts, feeling isolated and having negative beliefs about yourself or others.
- Social phobia: This disorder manifests as irrational fear and anxiety, self-consciousness and embarrassment in everyday situations. These issues can lead to panic attacks and other anxiety symptoms.
If you think you may have an anxiety disorder, talk to your healthcare provider. Together, you can find the best treatment methods for you. Many people find success with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of psychotherapy that teaches new thought patterns. It gives you the tools to react to situations that cause your anxiety. If your anxiety relates to fear or worry about migraine attacks, you may want to try preventive migraine treatments. These can lessen the frequency and severity of attacks.
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Migraine and anxiety symptoms
You might experience migraine and anxiety at the same time or one after the other. Migraine and anxiety symptoms can include:
- Sharp and intense headache pain.
- Nausea.
- Light sensitivity.
- Dizziness.
- Rapid heart rate.
- Shortness of breath.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Agitation.
- Appetite changes.
- Concentration problems.
- Fear and anxiety before or after migraine.
How else does migraine impact mental health?
It’s logical to think that migraine could worsen symptoms of anxiety and vice versa. Worry results in stress, and stress is a common migraine trigger. The pain and disruption brought on by a migraine can cause feelings of worry, and the cycle continues.
Chronic migraine can also impact mental well-being beyond stimulating feelings of anxiety. A staggering 87% of people with migraine believe their mental health would improve with better migraine management. Migraine and mental health are more closely related than one may think. People with migraine are also twice as likely to report mental ill-health as those without.
People with migraine are also almost six times more likely to develop depression. Signs and symptoms of depression can include:
- Ongoing feelings of sadness, negativity, irritability or helplessness.
- Decreased sense of pleasure in hobbies or interests once found enjoyable.
- Changes in sleeping or eating habits.
- Less energy or increased fatigue.
- Difficulties with focus, memory or making decisions.
- Physical aches and pains that don’t resolve with treatment or have no obvious cause.
Those who have migraine and symptoms of depression are at an increased risk for migraine escalation. In other words, migraine sufferers who battle depression may find themselves more likely to progress from episodic migraine to chronic. Chronic migraine occurs 15 or more days per month.
A definitive link also exists between anxiety and depression and higher rates of suicide. Warning signs of suicide can include:
- Increased conversations about death, feeling burdensome or hopeless.
- Excessive use of drugs or alcohol.
- An increase in isolation or social withdrawal.
- Reckless behavior.
If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms or contemplating suicide, it’s essential to seek care immediately. Contact your medical professional, a crisis hotline or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for help.
The medical community remains uncertain whether migraine triggers mental health symptoms or vice versa. One thing is clear — it’s vital to recognize and manage both symptoms with a proactive treatment plan. A holistic approach can improve physical and mental well-being.
Strategies for Managing Migraine, Anxiety and Depression
For someone with migraine, daily life can be tricky to navigate. Between not knowing when the next attack will occur and managing migraine pain, you face many stressors that detract from your everyday life. Unfortunately, people with migraine often have depression and anxiety, too.
Managing migraine, anxiety and depression can be overwhelming. The unpredictability of migraine can cause a cycle of anxiety to develop. The toll that migraine episodes take on your body can leave you feeling exhausted or hopeless. The important thing to remember is you’re not alone in your struggles. There are many strategies you can use to ease these burdens.
The link between migraine, anxiety and depression
Can depression cause migraine? Does anxiety lead to migraine? These questions are common among individuals with migraine. Doctors and researchers are still studying the links between anxiety, depression and migraine.
It’s tricky to come to an exact conclusion because the onset of each varies by person. For instance, here are two ways that people’s experiences might differ:
- Depression or anxiety after migraine: You might start feeling symptoms of depression or anxiety after months or years of living with migraine. The constant stress of developing a migraine might cause you to feel on edge. This stress could eventually manifest into an anxiety disorder. Living with migraine can also cause feelings of frustration or hopelessness. In turn, you might feel depressed or develop depression.
- Migraine occurs after depression or anxiety: In these instances, individuals already have either anxiety or depression before the onset of their migraine. This pattern shows that the conditions don’t always develop due to migraine. Instead, people might already have anxiety or depression, and migraine occurs later.
Genetic predisposition
One theory behind why someone might have migraine and anxiety or depression is a possible genetic predisposition. It’s been proven that migraine attacks run in families, and you’re 2-3 times more likely to develop depression if you have a family member with the condition. So, it’s possible that your brain is predisposed to these conditions if a relative already has them.
Migraine, depression and anxiety use the same neurotransmitters and systems in the brain. These similarities suggest a possible link between brain activity for each condition. There’s no concrete explanation for the link because everyone’s genetics and migraine experiences differ.
Signs of depression and anxiety
Understanding depression and anxiety symptoms is essential when you live with migraine. If you notice any of these symptoms, remember you’re not alone and that help is available.
Signs of depression
These are frequent symptoms of depression:
- Insomnia
- Loss of interest in regular activities
- Gaining or losing weight
- Compulsive behavior
- Stomach pains
Signs of anxiety
A few signs of anxiety include the following:
- Panic attacks
- The feeling of losing control
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
Prevention and treatment options
It’s best to seek treatment if you notice you display symptoms of depression or anxiety due to or alongside your migraine. Dealing with anxiety or depression at the same time as migraine can feel exhausting. Addressing your mental health likely improves your energy. You can feel better about life in general. In turn, you could find your migraine easier to bear or navigate.
Luckily, you can treat migraine and anxiety or depression in many ways. Here are some ways to better manage your depression, anxiety and migraine.
Tips for prevention
Sometimes, a few lifestyle changes can decrease symptoms of depression or anxiety. These management tips might also reduce the frequency of migraine.
These are a few examples:
- Stress management: Overwhelming feelings of stress significantly affect your body, sometimes triggering a migraine. Stress can also cause anxiety or depression. Because stress impacts our bodies, it’s crucial to find ways to manage it. Make sure to find time daily to do something you love, whether watching your favorite show, reading or cooking. Take breaks during work or other stressful activities. Reduce time spent reading negative news. Instead, try spending more time with pets, friends and family.
- Getting enough sleep: Your body needs proper sleep to maintain physical and mental health. However, those with depression or anxiety may encounter sleep difficulties such as insomnia. Adults should get seven to nine hours of sleep each night for their bodies to function at their best. Try reducing your screen time before bed and creating a relaxing nighttime routine.
- Exercise: Exercise also helps with migraine and mental illness. With more movement, your brain releases more endorphins, which reduces feelings of stress. You’re also likely to get better rest at night.
- Healthy diet: Your brain needs many nutrients to regulate and function. A poor diet may not provide those nutrients, which can exacerbate depression, anxiety and migraine symptoms. Remove alcohol, caffeine and processed sugar from your diet. Instead, focus on whole foods and getting plenty of hydration.
- Build a support network: Depression, anxiety and migraine can make you feel isolated. This loneliness creates a cycle. The more isolated you are, the more stressed and depressed, which can trigger migraine. Talk to your loved ones, explain your situation and tell them how they can help you. You can also join online migraine communities and connect with people with similar experiences.
- Try breathing exercises: Taking deep breaths can regulate your anxiety. Sit somewhere quiet and complete a breathing exercise when you notice anxiety symptoms.
Treatment options
You can also seek various treatments for your migraine, anxiety and depression. Professionals can help guide you through symptoms and relieve pain.
Here are some options to try:
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture has been proven to provide some relief from migraine. This treatment involves piercing the body with a needle to relieve pain and pressure. Many people try sessions over five to eight weeks for migraine treatment. There’s also some evidence that it relieves depressive and anxious symptoms.
- Therapy: Many with anxiety and depression use CBT to help with symptoms. Therapy allows you to talk through your feelings. Your therapist offers advice on changing thought patterns and habits. CBT might also help with working through feelings of frustration due to migraine.
- Medicine for pain relief: Various medications are available for migraine, anxiety and depression. Many doctors prescribe triptans for migraine relief. You can also take preventive supplements, such as riboflavin, that might reduce migraine frequency. People also take antidepressants for anxiety and depression to help relieve symptoms.
- CEFALY: CEFALY is another migraine treatment, used for both acute and preventive remedies. To use CEFALY, simply attach the device to your forehead for relief. It stimulates the trigeminal nerve — the nerve that’s the primary pathway for migraine pain. CEFALY can relieve that pain and reduce attack frequency, making migraine easier to manage.
Try CEFALY Connected today
CEFALY Connected is an FDA-cleared treatment for migraine that’s soothing and drug-free. Use it as a daily prevention treatment or at the onset of a migraine attack to reduce pain. CEFALY helps you manage your migraine pain without medication so you can get back to doing what you love.
Purchase CEFALY today, or contact us with any questions.
**The information in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.
Last Updated May 7, 2024
