Updated on October 22, 2024.
People with migraines are five times more likely to develop depression.
Transcript
Treating our mental health is a really important tool in our toolbox to treat our whole-human health, especially when it comes to chronic disease management.
[MELLOW MUSIC] Mental health is critical to our whole-body health.
And when we say whole-body health, like, why is that important? What does that mean for you? Yeah, I think, often we've spent so much time separating
the mind from the body. You know, it's like taking care of physical things, taking care of mental things. We really can't separate the two.
It's really the whole person, the whole human. We already know that migraines and mental health are connected. But Dr. Jud, what have you heard from patients
regarding their migraines? Well, I've heard many things. The migraine patients we surveyed said, for example, "When my anxiety and stress are bad,
I rarely eat. And if I'm not eating, I'm more likely to get a migraine." Somebody else reported, "I'm too stressed to go to sleep.
Then I wake up with four hours of sleep and a migraine. Then I spend all day trying to rest and relieve the pain." You know, migraine is often associated with symptoms
of anxiety and depression. In fact, people with migraines are five times more likely to develop depression. What exactly are migraine patients
experiencing when they suffer from a migraine, both physically and mentally? JUD BREWER: Here, stress can act as a trigger for migraines.
Migraines can also be their own trigger of anxiety and depression. Migraines can contribute to anxiety and depression in a few ways, for example, loss of productivity,
lower quality of life, stress of the possibility of a future migraine, chronic pain and sensitivity, fatigue and sleep disturbance.
Anxiety and depression can also impact migraines. In fact, there may be a biological tie between anxiety and migraines.
Evidence suggests that altered brain stem signaling mechanisms play a role in the pathophysiology of migraine, particularly in relation to symptoms,
such as nausea, vertigo, and other symptoms that can also overlap with heightened anxiety. The physical toll of a migraine can
lead to stress about future migraines, making patients more prone to another episode. So how do you recommend migraine patients
manage their mental health and, in turn, manage their migraine symptoms? Treatment here is very important. One study found that 36.5% of patients
reported an improvement in their headache with anxiety treatment. To avoid the anxiety over possible future migraines,
lifestyle changes may help. Here, it's helpful to maintain routine and adequate sleep, maintain routine eating and drinking habits, and try to avoid fasting and dehydration when possible.
Also, it's helpful to limit caffeine, alcohol, and nonprescription medications. As we know, stress can trigger migraines.
To relieve stress and improve your overall mental health, eat a healthy diet, try to exercise regularly.
And of course, mindfulness activities, like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness apps, can be helpful. I love these suggestions. And for anyone out there, you know,
it might be easy to feel overwhelmed or lost when migraines seem to be controlling your life. But talk to your health care provider about what steps
you can take. And together, you can get your disease under control. [AUDIO LOGO]
