Migraine and Depression Tips from Barbara
Chronic pain of any kind can cause even the strongest of individuals to develop mood problems and depression. Researchers are looking at the connection and whether it is actually medically linked or just simply that one condition leads to the other. Depression and migraines are often found together, and research has shown they might share a genetic risk factor as well.
Why Do Some People Have Both?
Migraine sufferers tend to have their quality of life greatly affected by their migraine pain. After all, this is not just a typical headache and it can occur often enough to impact your daily activities and even your employment.
Migraine can affect relationships too, because after a while, even loved-ones may not understand the chronic nature of your pain. Suddenly, you are no longer the care-free person you once were. That can be a huge trigger.
Depression is a very real and impactful condition, but it may be hard to obtain a solid diagnosis from your doctor when you are also suffering with migraines. Typically, when you get a migraine it is easier for you to retreat to a dark room and close out the world of bright lights and noises.
You may lose your appetite and feel nauseous. You can feel overwhelmed by having to carry on normal activities. You probably do not want to socialize, yet you feel isolated.
It can look like depression even when it’s not (it’s a reaction to the pain), but the key factor is if those same feeling and actions occur even without a migraine present.
Ask yourself this:
- Do I often avoid seeing friends or family or other socialization even when I don’t have a migraine?
- Do I find myself feeling depressed and overwhelmed even without pain?
- Do I seek naps or extra sleep even on migraine-free days?
- Do I experience a loss of appetite?
- Do my symptoms of depression seem to worsen with a migraine or the period following a migraine episode?
- Have I experienced extreme fatigue and loss of energy?
If it appears that symptoms of depression are present without a migraine or are also impacting your life and activities, you should speak to your doctor about those symptoms and when they occur.
Those who suffer migraines seem to have a much higher incident of also suffering from depression. The question remains if there is an actual connection with the two conditions or if one is simply leading to the other.
