Posts Tagged ‘Depression and Anxiety’

Migraines in Children Linked to Emotional Problems

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.

Back to School means Back to Headaches for Child Migraineurs

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.

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Like this? Read more:

Migraines, Women, and Depression: 9 Myths and Truths

Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?

Teens and Migraines- 3 Headache Triggers that Spell Trouble

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
Posted in Migraines and Mental Illness | No Comments »

Manage Migraines in 10 Steps- Put the Ho-Ho back in your Holidays

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Does thinking about the holidays cause headaches? Learn how to manage your migraines… eat migraine-friendly party foods…reduce stress…determine your seasonal migraine triggers…and have the holiday you deserve!

There’s nothing merry about migraines.

Let’s face it- most of us get a bit stressed out as the holiday season approaches. Even if you don’t suffer from migraine headaches, you’re liable to get the occasional tension headache. Family stress, work deadlines, pricey gift tags, and the constant influx of party food and alcohol all add up to one big migraine attack.

Don’t let the Migraine Monster turn you into a Grinch! Here are some excellent tips for coping with stress and finding headache relief…

Watch out! Here come the triggers…

What are the classic holiday comfort foods? Hot cocoa, nut-crusted cheese balls, wine spritzers, ginger spiced cappuccinos, gifted dried salami, ageless fruitcake, chocolate-coated EVERYTHING, and Buffet Casserole Surprise.

These are all trigger foods for some unsuspecting migraineur.

Tip #1- Question the cook, or bring your own goods to the party!

Avoiding Migraine Triggers- Here, There and Everywhere

Don’t be the life of the party!

You’re going to be in many situations during the next few months in which you will be offered numerous alcoholic drinks, at either work parties, family parties, or New Year’s Day parties.

Tip #2- Avoid hangover headaches by knowing your alcohol limit!

Rest up.

Don’t go to late-night parties, and don’t be ashamed to excuse yourself early if you feel tired. Disturbing your regular sleep pattern is your ticket to migraines. Avoid sleeping late, even when you have the day off, and resist the temptation to take a cozy winter afternoon nap.

Tip #3- Sleep regular hours to avoid headache symptoms!

Are Sleep Seizures, Exploding Head Noises Causing Insomnia?

Practice mindfulness…

When you can’t remove yourself from a stressful situation, you need to learn how to cope. Learn how to recognize certain cues as your body’s natural reaction to stress- heart palpitations, tension headache, profuse sweating, and anxious thoughts. Accept that stress and anxiety come and go, and that you have the ability to control your response, and thus prevent stress-related migraine headaches.

Tip #4- Understand that migraines don’t own you!

Top 20 Simple Lifestyle Modifications to Prevent Migraines

Keep moving!

Assuming that physical exertion is not one of your migraine triggers, try to include exercise in your daily schedule- even if it means avoiding the elevator, parking on the other side of the parking lot, or walking to work. Exercise reduces stress, burns calories, increases circulation, and promotes good feelings.

Tip #5- Stay active!

8 Ways to Avoid Exercise Headaches after Working Out

Slow down…

Ignore the collective holiday frenzy. You don’t have to make it to the mall before it closes- it will open again tomorrow. Guaranteed. And if you get stuck in traffic, use the opportunity to practice relaxation techniques, collect your thoughts, clean out your purse (with one hand!), or just listen to the radio.

Tip #6- Take it easy!

Get real!

Many of us have unrealistic expectations when it comes to the holiday season. We’re so worried about keeping up with the Jones’ holiday parties, and finding our place in the Have’s and Have-not’s, that we often forget to appreciate the circle of friends and family that we already have. No wonder you have headaches!

Tip #7- Find some holiday truth!

5 Simple Ways to Build a Migraine Support System of Friends

Recognize the symptoms of depression.

This is probably the hardest part of the holiday season for migraine sufferers- it’s the Depression Double Whammy! Migraine patients are naturally prone to depression and anxiety. Add to that seasonal depression that affects migraineurs and non-migraineurs alike, and you have a prescription for disaster. Studies prove that depression worsens chronic headaches, causing a vicious circle.

Tip #8- Conquer depression: stay connected to friends, seek help, find out if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and if necessary, inquire about taking antidepressants.

7 Websites that will Change your Life and Make you Happier

Chalk it up to the weather!

Weather changes are a common migraine triggers for many headache sufferers- shifting barometric pressure, temperature ups and downs, and humidity cause constant seasonal headaches.

Tip #9- You can’t avoid the weather, but you can prepare for it!

Don’t get sniffly!

Flu bugs, head congestion, fever, watery eyes, sore throat, and sinus headaches are all unfortunate realities of the holiday season. Find out if natural migraine remedies can help alleviate some of your cold symptoms as well. Take extra vitamin C. Gargle salt water often. Use saline eye drops. Ask your headache doctor if antihistamines are safe for you to have on your current migraine management plan.

Tip #10- Nurse yourself well!

Read more about migraine prevention:

Can Anxiety Attacks cause Migraines?

De-Clutter your Home, De-Clutter your Mind for Stress Relief

Sources:

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

6 Mindful Ways to Minimize Holiday Stress

New survey highlights holiday misery for migraineurs

How to Avoid Holiday-Induced Migraines

Image credits, from top:

Idea go, photostock, Ron Bird

Tags: chronic headaches, Coping with stress, Depression and Anxiety, headache relief, headache symptoms, manage migraines, migraine attack, migraine headaches, migraine triggers, natural migraine remedies, Reduce stress, Relaxation techniques, Seasonal affective disorder, Seasonal depression, Seasonal headaches, sinus headaches, Tension headache, Ways to reduce stress
Posted in Migraine Prevention | No Comments »

Top 6 Online Tests- Personality Quizzes from Trusted Sites

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

Depression, Stress and Low Self Esteem

Chronic pain patients, such as migraine sufferers, experience low self-esteem, depression, and stress. Online tests help detect symptoms of chronic illness.

Chronic pain is disabling

Do you suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety? Patients of chronic pain, migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia often struggle with emotional issues that cause marital problems, feelings of low self-worth, panic attacks, and severe chronic depression.

Below is a review of six helpful trusted websites that offer online personality quizzes that are relevant to mental health conditions and relationship difficulties often experienced by migraine patients, and other sufferers of chronic illness.

1) Depression Self-Assessment

Take the test– Mayo Clinic

Depression is a severe emotional disorder felt by the majority of chronic illness sufferers. Depression can be difficult to catch; depressed people who have suffered their condition for years often don’t know they are depressed, and don’t remember a time when they didn’t live under a cloud of sadness. If you suspect you suffer from depression, then seek psychological therapy immediately.

2) What’s Your Worry Profile?

Take the test– Whole Living

Are you a worrywart? Excessive worrying leads to anxiety, nervousness, tension, high blood pressure, and chronic stress headaches.

3) The Sustainable Marriage Quiz

Take the test– Psych Central

The majority of migraine patients are women, with millions of patients suffering from debilitating head pain, frequent nausea, visual disturbances (auras), fatigue, and extreme sensitivity to migraine triggers such as bright lights, scents, certain foods, and changes in weather. Sadly, migraine patients suffer disability, in addition to poverty and marital problems that lead to divorce.

4) Quiz: How High Is Your Self Esteem?

Take the test– Beliefnet

Ask any migraineur what emotions she most associates with migraine illness, and she will likely tick off feelings such as loneliness, uselessness, sadness, frailty, despair, and low self-esteem. Such is the situation with many people who suffer chronic illness, as they feel that nobody in their social circle relates to their situation, and that nobody is able to help. In order to build your migraine support system, it is crucial to build confidence, optimism, and feelings of self-worth.

5) Stress Screener

Take the test– Mental Health America

How stressed are you? This informative stress test will inquire about health conditions such as emotional eating, insomnia, digestive problems, anxiety, and chemical addiction.