Archive for the ‘Migraines and Mental Illness’ Category
Monday, May 13th, 2013
You’re not imagining it- if you get frequent migraines, then ADD/ADHD (yes, adults can have it) may also account for your long list of ailments, like nausea, crushing headaches, brain fog, attention problems, and hypersensitivity to lights, sounds, touch, scents- everything! Here are some findings that scientists have linking chronic migraines and ADD/ADHD.
Migraines and ADD/ADHD
Millions of people suffer excruciating headaches from migraines, and likewise, millions of adults in the US struggle with attention problems and sensory overload caused by ADD/ADHD.
Today, scientists believe that migraines and ADD/ADHD have more in common than we realized, and may provide important clues in devising appropriate treatments for people suffering from fatigue, disorientation, and a low tolerance for noise, even when they’re not having a migraine attack.
“…we think that this association between ADHD and migraine is mediated by a mutual comorbidity in mood disorders,” explains author Ole Bernt Fasmer, MD, PhD, regarding the study that was published in Psychiatry Weekly.
What do they have in common?
It can’t be a coincidence that some of the strongest migraine triggers involve the senses. In addition to changes in weather, food ingredients, and hormone fluctuations, many sensory-based environmental factors increase your risk for having a migraine attack, including:
- Bright fluorescent lighting
- Glare from harsh sunlight
- Flickering lights
- Stark white backgrounds
- Black and white striped or zigzagged patterns
- Strong perfumes
- Cigarette smoke
- Loud noises
- Chatter, people talking all at once
- Large crowds
10 Surprising Facts about Migraines you probably didn’t know
Interestingly enough, the same migraine triggers associated with hypersensitivity are the same ones that bother adults with attention problems ADD/ADHD.
And it isn’t a coincidence. In a famous 2012 study conducted by researchers in Norway, Migraine, Asthma, Mood Disorder, and Comorbid Adult ADHD, scientists found that males with ADHD have a 23% risk for migraines, compared with 11% of the general population. Furthermore, females, who are three times more likely than males to suffer from migraines, have a 34% risk of having severe migraines and ADD/ADHD, compared to 25% in women who don’t have attention problems.
What exactly is ADD/ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD) is a condition that we use to describe people exhibiting a certain set of behaviors in relation to their ability to focus, filter out sensory stimuli, and form and execute goals, along with several other cognitive skills.
Currently, about 9 million adults in the US have some form of ADD/ADHD.
Treatments for migraines and ADD/ADHD
As always, learn as much as you can about migraines and ADD/ADHD, and visit an experienced doctor for a correct diagnosis.
To treat migraine headaches and attention problems from ADD/ADHD, your doctor may prescribe medications that address your specific symptoms.
Additionally, many natural vitamins and herbs can help to boost cognitive functioning and sustain energy, enabling patients of migraines and ADD/ADHD to maintain mental focus and alertness throughout the day.
These include essential B vitamins, including riboflavin and vitamin B12, which help to preserve the nervous system.
Other beneficial nutrients include magnesium, CoQ10, and butterbur extracts.
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.
Like this? Read more:
Do Migraines Cause Brain Damage?
10 Ridiculously Healthy Vitamins for Women Migraine Patients
Brain Fog: Is it Migraine or Head Cold?
Sources:
Migraine, Asthma, Mood Disorder, and Comorbid Adult ADHD
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/freedigitalphotos.net
Tags: Attention problems, migraine attacks, migraine headaches, migraine symptoms, migraine triggers, migraines and ADD/ADHD
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Monday, April 22nd, 2013
Migraines are not only excruciating headaches; they also raise your risk for brain damage. If you experience more than three migraines each month, in addition to chronic brain fog and fatigue, then you should ask your doctor for an MRI brain scan to check for possible brain damage.
Migraines are a brain disease
According to latest research, migraine patients are a high risk category for “progressive brain damage,” a silent type that shows no unusual symptoms.
Researchers from the Netherlands conducted a study on the risk of brain damage in migraine patients, and results showed a high correlation between migraine attack frequency and increased risk for brain abnormalities.
For the study, they gathered 56 test subjects, including 28 female migraine patients and 28 non-migraineurs for the control group.
Scientists conducted MRI scans, examining key targeted areas of the brain for possible brain damage, noting white matter hyperintensities in the cerebral matter of migraine patients that were absent in the control group brain scans.
Researchers confirmed an unusually high rate of brain damage in migraine patients, deformities in parts of the brain that control thinking skills, as well as autonomic functioning needed for respiration and blood pressure.
Migraine patients who experienced more than three migraine attacks each month exhibited more brain abnormalities than patients who had fewer than three migraine episodes each month.
Furthermore, Migraine patients with a 15+ year history of migraines had the most severe signs of brain damage, compared to patients who have been experiencing migraine attacks for fewer than 15 years, proving a direct correlation between severity of migraines and brain damage.
More migraine comorbidities
In addition to brain damage, other serious conditions linked with migraines include stroke, heart attack, and epilepsy. Additionally, migraine patients are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
5 Effective Natural Supplements for Depression
What does all this mean?
If you get more than three migraine attacks each month, and you’ve been experiencing migraine attacks for at least 15 years, then migraine prevention isn’t just a matter of finding relief from pain and nausea- it can also save your life.
If you’ve been procrastinating on trying a new approach to migraine therapy, then don’t wait any longer. Speak to your doctor, and ask him what other options are available that you haven’t tried, including natural preventive tools for migraines.
Some good ones to try:
•Restrictive dieting, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, or specific migraine target avoidance
•Keeping a migraine diary to track frequency
•Natural supplementation of vitamins, minerals, and herbs that help migraine patients, such as vitamin B2 (riboflavin), magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and butterbur extracts
•Gentle daily exercise, including yoga, stretching, and low-impact aerobics
•Acupuncture
•Meditation
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, twitter, or Facebook.
Like this? Read more:
Migraines with Photophobia…a Real Eyesore
Noninvasive Neuro Surgery- Will it Work for Migraines?
What are Brain Zaps, and why do they happen with Migraine?
Sources:
Brain damage risk linked to migraine frequency
Migraines Linked to Brain Lesions in Women
Image courtesy of everyone’s idle/flickr
Tags: migraine attacks, migraine headaches, migraines brain
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Thursday, March 7th, 2013
Depression is often a comorbid condition of migraine disorder, as continuous crushing headaches, nausea, and fatigue feed into feelings of helplessness and despair. While antidepressants help to reduce migraines and depression at the same time, many natural alternative treatments are also beneficial for keeping symptoms at bay.
Please note that you should never discontinue use of antidepressants for migraines or depression without consulting in your doctor. None of these suggestions are meant to take place of prescription migraine treatments or medications for depression, and do not constitute medical advice.
Still, the following natural strategies have been proven to help significantly, and are recommended by physicians as part of a multi-pronged approach to combatting depression that occurs with chronic migraines.
#1 Choose an exercise that feels good
Countless medical studies confirm that regular physical activity has the power to curb mood disorders, enhance neurological health, and impart an overall sense of wellbeing.
Daily exercise reduces stress, boosts pain-killing endorphins, and regulates healthy serotonin and dopamine levels for improved relaxation response and more restful sleep.
Additionally, exercise is also recommended as a natural way to reduce migraine attacks, as stress is one of the most vicious trigger of migraines.
To benefit from exercise as a means of fighting depression, start small- try walking for twenty minutes each day, and work your way up to longer sessions.
#2 Sleep, but not too much
Getting enough restful sleep at night is instrumental for fighting migraines, as well as depression. Good sleep habits include going to sleep at a reasonable hour each night, avoiding electrical gadgets several hours before bedtime, and keeping it consistent.
Too much sleep can backfire, though, as migraine headaches and depression are often made worse by irregular sleep schedules, such as napping in the afternoon or hitting the snooze button on weekends.
#3 Think positive thoughts
Keeping your chin up and hoping for the best isn’t just great advice for conquering depression; it also helps with migraines. In studies that focused on patients who suffered from chronic pain, scientists noted that participants who kept a positive attitude and refrained from dwelling on their pain symptoms were most likely to achieve better results in pain management.
#4 Stick to routines
When chaos reigns, depression and anxiety are not far behind. While reckless abandonment of your daily routine may appeal to your spontaneous side, resist the temptation to drop your most basic healthy lifestyle habits. Following a regular routine adds an element of structure to your life that soothes the nerves and fends off feelings of melancholy and despair.
Some good routines that help with depression and migraines may include:
- Getting fully dressed each morning before you leave your bedroom, including shoes
- Sticking to daily hygiene, including showering, tooth-brushing, and hair-combing
- Fixing your bed every morning
- Check your calendar
- Keep dirty dishes at bay
- Do one load of laundry each day
- Taking your vitamins and minerals
- Exercising
- Allowing time to fix a healthy, nutritious meal
- Devoting some time to personal reflection, relaxation, or positive affirmations
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Like this? Read more:
5 Effective Natural Supplements for Depression
Migraines, Women, and Depression: 9 Myths and Truths
Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?
Suicide Rate in Migraine Patients- Some Surprising Statistics
Sources:
Fighting Depression with Natural Remedies
10 Natural Depression Treatments
Image(s) courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Tags: Depression and migraine, migraine headaches, Natural depression treatment, Natural migraine prevention, Treat migraines
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Wednesday, March 6th, 2013
Natural supplements that benefit people suffering from depression are not meant to replace physician-prescribed antidepressants. Still, for many people complementary vitamins, minerals, and herbs help to make life more manageable, with or without the added stress that migraines can contribute to depression.
Please note that you should always consult your doctor before beginning any new treatment, including natural supplements for depression or migraines.
Listed are four popular over-the-counter natural supplements that may help for depression.
B vitamins
B-complex vitamins are some of the most instrumental nutrients for maintaining a healthy nervous system. Many B vitamins, such as vitamin B12 help to protect your nervous system, while also sustaining healthy cognitive functioning. A deficiency in B12 is known to causes mood swings, depression, and anxiety.
Folic acid, or folate, is another essential B-vitamin that is often linked with depression, as researchers at Harvard University discovered a significantly high rate of depression in people with low levels of folate, and have determined that supplementing with the B vitamin folic acid may improve the effectiveness of antidepressants.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are some of the most touted brain nutrients, for good reason. In countless studies, scientists have found that people who suffer from depression have the lowest levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which occur naturally in many fish products and certain nuts. Also, in countries where fish is the staple food, rates of depression are noticeably low.
For people with depression or bipolar disorder, many nutritionists recommend supplementing with fish oil supplements, or including more fish meals in your diet.
Try Nature Made Fish Oil
St. John’s wort
Though not approved by the FDA for treating depression, this herb is very popular in European countries for its effectiveness at helping people with moderate depression. Consult with your doctor before experimenting with St. John’s wort as a natural supplement for depression, as it can interfere with certain medications, including migraine treatments.
Saffron
New emerging evidence supports the use of saffron in helping people with depression. The popular red spice, which is found in many middle-eastern dishes, has been used for centuries by many cultures as a natural treatment for depression.
Recently, Iranian placebo-based studies focusing on depression yielded promising results when patients received 30-milligram doses of saffron, even comparing its effectiveness to Prozac.
Get saffron tablets at Amazon
SAMe
S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is a natural substance that has a positive effect on neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. In the US, SAMe is sold over-the-counter for treatment of depression, and also insomnia.
Studies have found that people who suffer from depression often have low levels of SAMe, and that injection of this natural supplement may rival the effects of antidepressants.
Order Nature Made SAM-e from our Amazon store
Your turn!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Like this? Read more:
Migraines, Women, and Depression: 9 Myths and Truths
Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?
Suicide Rate in Migraine Patients- Some Surprising Statistics
Sources:
Natural remedies for depression: Are they effective? – MayoClinic.com
Image(s) courtesy of foto76/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: Depression treatments, Migraines and depression, Natural depression, natural remedies, Natural supplements for depression
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Wednesday, October 10th, 2012
In a recently published study on migraines in children, scientists focused on elementary-school aged children suffering from chronic headaches, including migraine headaches and tension-type headaches. Their findings indicate a stronger propensity for behavior issues when migraines occur in children, versus other forms of pediatric headaches.
The Brazilian study on migraines in children focused on nearly 2,000 children between the ages of 5 and 11, and is the largest study of its kind to find direct correlations between emotional problems such as anxiety and depression and chronic migraines in children.
Behavioral and emotional symptoms and primary headaches in children – A population-based study was published in the journal Cephalagia.
Like adults, children who suffer from chronic tension-type headaches or migraines are more likely to also suffer from comorbid emotional problems, such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, children who experience frequent migraines may also exhibit signs of attention disorders and social detachment.
In the study on migraines and child behavior, researchers noted an increase in behavioral and emotional disorders in children with migraines, more so than with children who suffered chronic headaches caused by stress.
Behaviors tested include:
- Defiance
- Aggression
- Social problems
- Hyperactivity
- Attention problems
- Anxiety
- Depression
Using headache questionnaires and a Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), scientists were able to determine the following results regarding behavior in children with migraines and tension headaches:
- For children with migraines or tension headaches, frequency of headaches directly correlated with abnormal behavior.
- More than 50% of the pediatric migraine sufferers tested exhibited internalizing (self-directed) emotional behaviors, versus 19% of children with stress headaches.
- Migraines in children were just as likely as stress headaches to trigger external behaviors, such as rule breaking and aggression.
- Children with migraines were more likely to have difficulty socializing than sufferers of tension-type headaches.
- Child migraine sufferers were also more likely to suffer emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, and hyperactivity than other headache sufferers.
Please tell us…
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Like this? Read more:
Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?
Sources:
Migraine headaches in children linked to behavioral difficulties
Behavioral and emotional symptoms and primary headaches in children: A population-based study
Behavior issues are a bigger headache for children with migraines
Images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Tags: Children headache sufferers, Depression and Anxiety, migraine headaches, Migraines and depression, Migraines in children, Pediatric headaches, stress headaches
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Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Migraines and depression often go hand in hand, creating a vicious circle of pain, exhaustion, and despair. How can you tell the difference between depression caused by chronic migraines, female-related depression, and clinical depression? Here are 9 points on depression in women with migraines.
Myth #1: Women are more susceptible to migraines and depression.
True. For every male migraineur, there are three women suffering from migraine headaches on a regular basis.
To add insult to injury, women are also more likely to suffer from severe depression than their male peers are. While only one out of eight men ever becomes clinically depressed, 25% of all women will experience deep depression at least once in their lives, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Women get the Lion’s Share of Migraines and Chronic Pain
Myth #2: Stress causes migraines and depression in women.
True. Many health experts believe that stress and depression occur in the same part of the brain. Particularly in women, who are less likely than are men to release pent-up anger, long-term stress and trauma often result in constant depression.
And while stress doesn’t actually “cause migraines,” it does make them more likely to occur; stress, along with other migraine triggers, creates an environment in the brain that is conducive for chronic migraines. That’s why migraine prevention requires being able to determine what factors trigger migraines, and finding ways to eliminate or reduce them.
Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?
Myth #3: You can cure depression- and migraines- by learning how to reduce stress and think positively.
False. Clinical depression and migraines are both illnesses that are caused by brain chemistry. While thinking positively and learning how to relax are excellent ways to lift your mood and improve your response to migraine or depression medications, stress reduction alone cannot cure you of a neurological or mental illness.
Myth #4: It’s normal to be depressed for weeks, sometimes months.
False. It’s normal to be sad for long periods after suffering a trauma or a loss, but sadness that lingers longer than several weeks requires psychiatric help.
Myth #5: To treat depression, you must take antidepressants.
False. Not all periods of depression are “clinical depression,” so not all symptoms indicate an imbalance in brain chemistry requiring antidepressants.
Some underlying factors may cause depression, including:
- PMS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Vitamin deficiency
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hypothyroidism
- Medications like birth control or hypertension treatments
- Insomnia
- Drug or alcohol abuse
Myth #6: “Baby blues” only occur after giving birth.
False. We’ve all heard of postpartum depression, but very little mention is made of its cousin, antenatal depression, which occurs during a pregnancy. Fluctuating hormones cause depression in 10% of all pregnancies.
Ironically, migraine attacks often slow down or cease for many pregnant migraine patients.
Myth #7: Some antidepressants and migraine medications are safe to take during pregnancy.
True. If you suffer from migraines or depression, don’t let that stop you from family planning. Ask your doctor about many conventional treatments for migraines and depression, including:
Popular natural ingredients that promote a positive mind and mood:
- Magnesium
- Riboflavin
- Coenzyme Q10
- PA-free butterbur
Myth #8: Symptoms of migraines and depression may vary.
True. Between male and female sufferers of both depression and migraines, symptoms may differ from patient to patient.
Depression symptoms include:
- Deep sadness
- Fatigue
- Feelings of despair, shame, or guilt
- Irritability
- Indifference
- Mood swings
- Obsession with suicidal thoughts
Suicide Rate in Migraine Patients- Some Surprising Statistics
Migraines may occur with or without aura, or even without headache. Symptoms of migraines include:
- Pounding pervasive headache
- Headaches that last for days
- Sharp pain behind the eyes
- Sensitivity to bright lights, loud noise, scents, and bold black/white patterns
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Bizarre visual disturbances (lights, colorful zigzags)
- Temporary partial blindness
- Temporary partial paralysis
- Sudden speech difficulties
- Loss of spatial awareness
Myth #9: Natural ingredients for migraines and depression are ineffective and unsafe.
True and false. Don’t believe that all herbs and homeopathic treatments are safe just because they’re natural. Homeopathic, herbal, and nutritional supplements can provide powerful health benefits, but it’s important to use them with care.
- Always consult in your physician before starting any new natural herbal ingredient for migraines.
- Seek quality products that are free of chemicals like pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) or pesticides.
- Leading neurologists advocate the health benefits of natural ingredients; they include butterbur, riboflavin, coenzyme Q10, and magnesium.
Please tell us…
What tactics, including natural and conventional, do you currently use for migraines and/or depression?
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
Read more about migraines and depression
Chronic Migraines- Weathering the Emotional Storm
Migraines Make Women Depressed- It’s Confirmed
Images:
IAN HOOTON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, LEON HARRIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY, ZERO CREATIVES/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Tags: butterbur, chronic migraines, coenzyme q10, magnesium, migraine headaches, migraine triggers, Migraines and depression, Natural remedies for migraines, riboflavin
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Thursday, May 3rd, 2012
Managing chronic migraines can wear you down, both emotionally and spiritually. Like any other lifetime illness, migraine disorder can distress your social life, family relationships, and business associations, not to mention your own sense of self-esteem. But harboring negative feelings can impede recovery and trigger more migraines. Here are some helpful tips that will brighten your mood.
Acceptance
Migraine disorder is a neurological condition that will not go away on its own. Unfortunately, a mistake some migraine patients make is treating their symptoms like the metaphorical “elephant in the living room.” It’s one thing to put on a brave face for random well-wishers, but you should always be able to admit to close friends, family, and physicians when things are not so fine, and be able to ask for help.
Overcoming Social Isolation in Migraine Disorder
Remember that there’s nothing shameful in acknowledging when you’re having difficulty managing your migraines; it doesn’t make you weak or helpless, but rather improves your chances of eventually finding a life-long migraine management strategy that works.
Get migraines of your head
Anger, depression, despair, and anxiety are often comorbid conditions of migraine disorder. Learning how to release pent-up feelings in a healthy, controlled fashion is crucial for preventing migraine headaches, reducing stress, and avoiding life-threatening situations like heart attack, stroke, and drug addiction.
Suicide Rate in Migraine Patients- Some Surprising Statistics
If seeking psychological help is not an option, then get used to writing things down in a diary. If you’re already logging into a migraine journal, then use the opportunity to jot down feelings, concerns, and questions about migraines, or just anything that’s on your mind.
Accentuate the positive…
It’s hard to keep a positive outlook when your daily routine starts and ends with throbbing headaches, sore eyes, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck pain. While nobody expects you to transform into Ms. Happy-go lucky overnight, that doesn’t mean that you can’t reap some of the benefits that positive thinking affords.
Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?
In an oft-cited study on chronic pain, researchers noted a direct correlation between negativity among certain patients and an increase in pain symptoms. People who expressed an attitude of hopelessness and “catastrophized” their condition experienced the most stress, physical pain, and infirmity.
In contrast, test subjects who experienced similar pain levels but remained hopeful and optimistic were more likely to find effective pain management.
Read more about migraines and depression
Migraines Make Women Depressed- It’s Confirmed
Please tell us…
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Please leave your comments below.
Share with your friends!
If you found this article helpful, then please share with your friends, family, and coworkers by email, Facebook, or Google+.
References:
Study finds that positive outlook on life eases chronic pain
Images:
kenfotos, Janaka Dharmasena, Ambro
Tags: chronic migraines, migraine disorder, migraine headaches, Migraines and depression
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Thursday, February 23rd, 2012
A new study confirms what you already knew- migraines in women cause depression. Scientists surveyed 36,000 women for a Women’s Health Study, hoping to learn more about cancer prevention, and instead stumbled upon this serendipitous discovery linking migraine headaches and depression. This is one of the largest studies to expose the high risk of severe depression among female migraine sufferers, and chronic headache patients around the world hope it will open the doors to more extensive research on migraine illness and depression.
Women’s health study links migraines and depression
A recent study backed up by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) concluded some revealing findings about female migraine sufferers and depression.
While the study’s initial aim was to research vitamin E and aspirin for preventing heart disease in women, Dr. Tobias Kurth of Brigham and Women’s Hospital was able to use the 14-year data to make the following observations:
- Out of 36,000 women participants, approximately 6,000 admitted to suffering from migraine headaches.
- In the beginning of the study, none of the female participants reported any prior history of depression.
- During the 14-year follow-up, researchers recorded deep depression in about 4,000 women.
- Scientists concluded that women who suffer from migraines or other chronic headaches are about 40% more likely to suffer from severe depression than are women who don’t get migraines.
- While scientists cannot confirm that migraines cause depression, nor vice versa, they do, however, acknowledge a proven correlation between the two.
Migraine symptoms
Migraine attacks are invasive, and difficult to get rid of. Particularly strong migraine attacks can last for days, and require another few days for recuperation. For many chronic migraine patients, pulsing headaches are an everyday occurrence.
Other migraine symptoms besides headache include:
- Severe nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- tinnitus
- Hypersensitivity to things like lights, sounds, and scents
If you experience migraines with aura, then you may also experience:
 Visual distortions- Momentary partial blindness
- Momentary partial paralysis
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Olfactory hallucinations
- Temporary speech impairments
- Disorientation
- Loss of spatial awareness
Migraines are disabling
Migraine attacks are so debilitating that when they strike, you are at their mercy. They block out all other priorities, much in the same way an eclipse blocks out the sun. You miss work, you make excuses to friends for your absence, and all household chores get put on the backburner. When a migraine attacks, you can do little else other than lie in bed in a dark room and wait…
Migraines and depression
Suffering from migraines is an isolating experience, and it’s depressing watching life go by outside your bedroom window. Even migraine-free days are haunted by feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and anger.
Depression makes it hard to imagine that things can ever be better, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy; where there is little hope, there is little relief from pain. On the flip side, chronic pain patients who manage to overcome depression and keep their hopes up are exceedingly more likely to cope well with their pain symptoms and recover.
Migraine treatments that do double-duty
It’s not uncommon for headache specialists to prescribe antidepressants for their migraine patients. For some, using antidepressants such as sertraline may reduce migraine symptoms and conquer depression at the same time.
In addition, many people suffering from migraine headaches and depression would do well to eat healthy foods, include minimal exercise, and take daily doses of vitamins and supplements.
Examples of recommended supplements include butterbur (PA-free), magnesium, coenzyme Q10, and riboflavin (vitamin B2).
Please tell us…
- Do you agree that women with migraines are 40% more likely to suffer depression, or do you think that number might actually be higher?
- Please share your experiences in coping with migraine disorder.
- We welcome your questions and comments!
Spread the love…
Please share this article with your friends, family, or anybody you care about!
Read more about migraines and depression:
Suicide Rate in Migraine Patients- Some Surprising Statistics
Overcoming Social Isolation in Migraine Disorder
Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?
Sources:
Migraines Linked to Depression
Migraines Linked to Depression in Women
Art by mermay19
Tags: Chronic headache, Depression in women with migraines, migraine attacks, migraine headaches, migraine headaches and depression, migraine illness and depression, Migraine supplements, Migraine symptoms Migraine symptoms, vitamins and supplements for migraine patients
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Friday, January 20th, 2012
How far would you go to get rid of a migraine attack- not just a headache, but rather a weeklong gut-turning, head-pounding assault of migraine headaches? In prehistoric times, migraine patients resorted to drastic means like trepanation to relieve migraine symptoms. Today, a startling percentage of migraine patients have either contemplated suicide… or successfully taken their own lives to end the despair caused by chronic pain.
Migraines attack the whole body- not just the head
People who have never experienced a migraine attack mistakenly believe that it’s just like a headache, only stronger. Nothing could be further from the truth! First, daily headaches like tension headaches are caused by stressed, tense muscles. Migraine headaches occur in the brain when your nervous system misinterprets certain migraine triggers as pain messages. Migraine disorder is classified as a neurological disease.
Some of the symptoms of migraines include:
- Sharp, severe head pain on one side of that head that lasts for several hours or days
- Intense nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea
- Migraine aura, consisting of strange visual hallucinations, olfactory hallucinations, temporary partial blindness, temporary partial paralysis, speech irregularities, altered sense of spatial awareness and time, loss of consciousness, and inability to communicate with or comprehend other people.
- Hypersensitivity to things like bright lights, loud noises, and strong scents
Overcoming Social Isolation in Migraine Disorder
Suicide risk with migraine disorder
Researchers point to a high correlation of emotional problems in migraine headache sufferers to explain for a higher-than-average suicide rate.
- The suicide rate in migraine patients is higher than that in the general population. Out of all migraine sufferers, females who experience migraines with aura (MA) have the highest suicide rate.
- People who have the most severe and frequent migraine attacks are more likely to contemplate suicide.
- People who get migraines without aura (MwoA) are just as likely to contemplate suicide as those who suffer migraines with aura (MA), but they are less likely to act upon suicide ideation.
- There is no significant suicide risk in people who suffer from chronic daily headaches (CDH).
Killer Migraines Might be Fatal after All- Mortality Rates among Migraine Sufferers
Depression is comorbid with migraines
Most chronic migraine sufferers battle with more than the migraine symptoms alone- they also have to contend with major depression and other emotional disorders.
- In one study, about 26% of people who suffered from bipolar disorder also experienced frequent migraine attacks.
- Migraine with aura patients are more likely to suffer multiple anxiety disorders, recurrent depression, and hypomania, compared with migraineurs who don’t experience aura.
- Scientists speculate that various dysfunctions in the brain (like bipolar disorder) produce other brain dysfunctions like depression, seizures, and migraines with aura.
Migraine medications may raise suicide risk
There is some evidence that anticonvulsants meant to treat epilepsy, but also prescribed as a migraine treatment, may contribute to the high suicide rate among migraineurs.
Compared with topiramate (Topamax), the following migraine drugs are associated with high suicidal tendencies:
- Gabapentin (Neurontin)- 40% higher than Topamax
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
- Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
- Tiagabine (Gabitril)
In a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), nearly 300,000 people who suffer from migraines, chronic pain, bipolar disorder, and epilepsy began taking one of 13 anticonvulsants. None of the participants had any history of suicidal behavior.
After approximately 180 days, 26 patients committed suicide, and 801 attempted suicide.
Gabapentin, which is associated with the highest risk of suicide, is also one of the most frequently prescribed anticonvulsants for migraines (48%), followed by Topiramate (19.4%), Lamotrigine (7.5%), and Valproate (6.2%).
Read more about migraines and depression:
Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?
Feeling Bipolar? The iTunes Store has 20 iPhone Apps for that- Part 1
Feeling Bipolar? The iTunes Store has 20 iPhone Apps for that- Part 2
Sources:
Anticonvulsant Medications and the Risk of Suicide, Attempted Suicide, or Violent Death- JAMA
Psychiatric comorbidity and suicide risk in patients with chronic migraine
Migraine, psychiatric disorders, and suicide attempts: an epidemiologic study of young adults- PubMed, NCBI
Migraine: costs and consequences
Images, from top:
Julien Haler, mislav-m, e-MagineArt.com
Tags: Bipolar disorder migraine, chronic pain, Depression and migraines, migraine attack, migraine disorder, migraine drugs, migraine headaches, migraine symptoms, migraine triggers, migraine with aura, Suicide rate migraine
Posted in Migraines and Mental Illness | No Comments »
Monday, January 16th, 2012
If you’ve tried every other migraine remedy to relieve crushing migraine headaches with no success, maybe it’s time you tried remedies for ADHD. According to recent findings, an unusually high correlation exists between migraine disorder and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
ADHD- It’s not just for kids anymore
In a new approach towards understanding ADHD, scientists have started including adult ADHD patients in their research, finding that many grown-ups suffer the same sort of social awkwardness and psychiatric problems faced by children with ADHD. Although the rate of attention deficit hyperactivity in adults is much lower than in children- 1-4% versus 2-12%- the consequences are just as devastating.
Symptoms of adult ADHD
Some of the most common symptoms of ADHD in adults are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Work problems
- Impulsive behavior,
- Low attention span
- Restlessness
ADHD and migraine headaches
It’s unknown if ADHD and migraines have a causative relationship (where one causes the other), or simply a comorbid (simultaneous) association. Some suspect that anti-ADHD medications contribute to migraine headache symptoms, while others wonder if a deeper explanation is in order.
In a European study on adult ADHD and migraines, scientists made some interesting observations:
- They found a significantly higher occurrence of migraine headaches among adult ADHD patients than in the general population.
- Despite the fact that migraine illness is a neurological chronic pain disorder, where ADHD is a cognitive and behavioral disorder, the two conditions seem to share a comorbid relationship.
- ADHD patients with migraines are more likely to suffer from depression than ADHD patients who don’t get migraine headaches.
Magnesium with migraines and ADHD
In a European study on magnesium and children with ADHD, scientists found that magnesium and vitamin B6 supplements improved cognitive health after only two months of vitamin supplementation. Many researchers today speculate that ADHD may indicate a magnesium deficiency.
Likewise, numerous studies focusing on magnesium and migraine headaches have confirmed impressive results with the introduction of routine magnesium supplements, suggesting a possible correlation with migraine disorder and magnesium deficiency.
Read more about magnesium as a natural migraine treatment:
Natural Supplements and Herbs for migraines
Coenzyme Q10 Benefits and Dosage Information
Sources:
Adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is associated with migraine headaches
Magnesium Health and ADHD in Children
Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: results from a prospective, multi-center, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study- PubMed, NCBI
Treating ADHD with Magnesium and Vitamin B6
Image
Tags: ADHD and migraines, magnesium and migraine headaches, migraine headaches, migraine remedy, Migraines, natural migraine treatments
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