Migraines and Depression
Being in pain so fierce that the only recourse is to hide in a dark, quiet room until it is over several times a year would make anyone sad. Migraineurs, though, are five times more likely to develop clinical depression than people who do not have these debilitating headaches. Conversely, people who are depressed are three times likelier than happy people to become migraineurs.
Many scientists view the intertwining of migraine and depression as a chicken or egg situation. They are patently comorbid, but does one cause the other? If so, which one starts the process, the migraine or the depression? The answer is not that simple. Migraines, depression, and, unsurprisingly, insomnia, a state associated with both conditions have something in common. All three are associated with neurotransmitter deficiencies in the brain.
Doctors believe that while they are related, depression and migraine headaches have distinct causes with a similar neurobiology. For years, doctors blamed depression in migraineurs on their resultant loss of quality of life due to headaches. Now it looks as though the link is a biologic shared mechanism rather than psychology.
One danger for clinically depressed migraineurs is possible drug interaction between their depression medication and their migraine drugs. In July 2006 the FDA recognized one such danger, that of mixing triptans for migraines with SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), used to treat depression and mood disorders. Combining the drugs can lead to a condition called serotonin syndrome.
Serotonin syndrome occurs when there is too much serotonin in the body. Symptoms include hallucinations, increased heart rate and body temperature, fast changes in blood pressure, and gastrointestinal upset. Sometimes a patient has no choice but to take these medications together, but they need to weigh their options with their doctor and be monitored closely for serotonin syndrome.
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Butterbur for Migraines Migraineurs would prefer not to have migraines at all. If headache cannot be eliminated, reducing the number ... read more
Exercise to Ease Migraines The relationship between exercise and migraines is quixotic. Science says that exercise, by promoting the regular ... read more
Applying Heat or Cold for Migraine Relief Many migraineurs (people who suffer from migraine headaches) relieve the pain of a ... read more
Migraine Auras A migraine aura is a specific type of prodrome, or premonition, that heralds a migraine. It is a ... read more
Yoga for Migraines Stretching, breathing, bending—none of these activities sound good to a migraineur in the throes of a headache, ... read more
Fewer Migraines with Feverfew Migraineurs (people who suffer from chronic or episodic migraine headaches) are looking for headache relief that ... read more
Migraine Abortive Medications Doctors prescribe two types of migraine medications. One type is designed to help stop a migraine that ... read more
Home for Headaches When a migraine strikes, many migraineurs head for home and settle in to wait out the excruciating ... read more
Non-Drug Treatment for Pediatric Migraine The last thing most parents want to do is give their child a drug. Yet, ... read more
Thermal Biofeedback and Migraines Thermal biofeedback is an effective technique used by many migraine patients to reduce the pain intensity ... read more
Migraines and Caffeine Migraineurs have a love-hate relationship with caffeine. For many, the vasoconstrictor helps alleviate their migraine pain. For ... read more
Common Migraine Food Triggers No one knows for sure what causes migraine headaches. The most likely to answer to-date is ... read more
Migraines and Obesity Are you more likely to have migraines if you are obese? The simple answer, for adults, is ... read more
Pediatric Migraines Children get migraines, too, they are not a condition confined to adulthood.. Studies have even indicated that infants ... read more
Migraine Trigger Elimination Dieting Science can’t explain why so many migraineurs claim that there is a link between certain foods ... read more
Smoking and Migraines Is there a connection between smoking and migraines? The correct answer is “maybe” to “probably”. There is ... read more
Prophylactic Migraine Medications Doctors sometimes prescribe a daily medication to reduce the duration and frequency of migraine attacks. These medications ... read more
Acupuncture for Migraines Acupuncture is one of the oldest medical techniques in the world, practiced in China for over 2,000 ... read more
Migraine Stages Migraines develop in four stages. Patients with migraines with aura, also known as classic migraines, are most likely ... read more
Migraines and Insomnia A bout of insomnia will often bring on a migraine in someone prone to them. Having a ... read more
Neurostimulator Implants and Migraines One out of every eight people suffers from migraine headaches. There is currently no treatment available ... read more
Genetic Research into Migraines Migraine headaches are a huge health problem. In a 2004 report, the World Health Organization (WHO) ... read more
Aging and Migraines Aging is a fact of life. Getting older means increasing frailty and susceptibility to illness, but it ... read more
Abdominal Migraines Anyone who has ever had a migraine will say they do not just happen in the head. The ... read more
Migraines and PMS No one knows exactly what causes migraine headaches, or even what happens in the body and brain ... read more
Online Resources for Migraineurs Many migraineurs feel very alone in their still misunderstood suffering, but they are not alone. There ... read more
The High Price of Migraines Migraines are expensive. Recent studies show that the chronic, debilitating headaches have a high cost ... read more
Finding a Migraine Doctor You have severe, debilitating headaches that cause you to vomit and huddle in a dark room ... read more
Migraine Myths There are a number of commonly held beliefs about migraines that make it hard for sufferers to get ... read more
Migraines and Depression Being in pain so fierce that the only recourse is to hide in a dark, quiet room ... read more
Hypnotic Migraine Relief Hypnosis is not just an entertainer’s trick to please and amuse crowds. Hypnotherapists are helping migraineurs ease ... read more
Migraines and Rebound Headaches A rebound headache, also known as a medication overuse headache, is one of the most unpleasant ... read more
Chiropractic Care for Migraines Chiropractic care is a safe, non-invasive way to relieve migraine suffering without the use of medication. ... read more
Migraine Criteria The Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society (IHS) publishes and revises the “International Classification of Headache Disorders”, ... read more
Lifestyle Change for Natural Migraine Prevention Migraine sufferers are turning to non-pharmacological options to reduce the number of headaches they ... read more
Reflexology for Migraines Say the word migraine and most migraineurs will reflexively cringe in remembered pain, their last headache still ... read more
Poison the Pain – Botox for Migraines Botox can make you look better. Did you know it could also make ... read more
Hemiplegic Migraine There are a number of different types of migraine headaches, including both the classic and common migraine. One ... read more
Acupressure and Migraines Acupressure is a completely non-invasive treatment option that has a high success rate among migraineurs (people who ... read more
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Migraines Some migraineurs are fortunate enough to experience prodromal symptoms that let them know a migraine ... read more
Running into Migraines Exercise is good for you. Being fit will help your whole body feel better, including your migraines, ... read more
Toradol - When Migraine Pain Won’t Stop Doctors give migraineurs medications to reduce the frequency or duration of their headaches, ... read more
Aromatherapy and Migraines Most physicians agree that aromatherapy makes an excellent complementary therapy for migraineurs. Aromatherapy has not been shown ... read more
Riboflavin for Migraines Correcting dietary insufficiencies may help reduce headache frequency for migraineurs. Many migraineurs find relief by adding vitamin ... read more
Transformed Migraine Migraine headaches bring some of the most excruciating pain a person will ever know. Many migraineurs say the ... read more
Balancing Chakras to Soothe Migraines The word chakra is Sanskrit for wheel. The chakras are the seven primary distribution points ... read more
Are You In or Out? You have a migraine. You have a job. Now what do you do? Deciding if ... read more
Migraine Prodromes A migraine prodrome is a premonition or advance warning that a migraine is coming on. Prodromes can occur ... read more
Using White Noise to Treat Migraine Symptoms Phonophobia, an extreme sensitivity to noise is one of the most unpleasant side ... read more
Basilar Migraines Migraines can be more than just a pain in the head. Basilar migraines, once known as basilar artery ... read more
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Disclaimer
The Publisher has strived to be as accurate and complete as possible in the creation of this website, notwithstanding the fact that he does not warrant or represent at any time that the contents within are accurate due to the rapidly changing nature of the Internet.
This site is a common sense guide to Migraines and Depression. In practical advice websites, like anything else in life, there are no guarantees of income made. Readers are cautioned to reply on their own judgment about their individual circumstances to act accordingly.
This site is not intended for use as a source of legal, business, accounting or financial advice. All readers are advised to seek services of competent professionals in legal, business, accounting, and finance field.
Any perceived slights of specific people or organizations are unintentional.
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| Butterbur for Migraines
Exercise to Ease Migraines
Applying Heat or Cold for Migraine Relief
Migraine Auras
Yoga for Migraines
Fewer Migraines with Feverfew
Migraine Abortive Medications
Home for Headaches
Non-Drug Treatment for Pediatric Migraine
Thermal Biofeedback and Migraines
Migraines and Caffeine
Common Migraine Food Triggers
Migraines and Obesity
Pediatric Migraines
Migraine Trigger Elimination Dieting
Smoking and Migraines
Prophylactic Migraine Medications
Acupuncture for Migraines
Migraine Stages
Migraines and Insomnia
Neurostimulator Implants and Migraines
Genetic Research into Migraines
Aging and Migraines
Abdominal Migraines
Migraines and PMS
Online Resources for Migraineurs
The High Price of Migraines
Finding a Migraine Doctor
Migraine Myths
Migraines and Depression
Hypnotic Migraine Relief
Migraines and Rebound Headaches
Chiropractic Care for Migraines
Migraine Criteria
Lifestyle Change for Natural Migraine Prevention
Reflexology for Migraines
Poison the Pain – Botox for Migraines
Hemiplegic Migraine
Acupressure and Migraines
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Migraines
Running into Migraines
Toradol - When Migraine Pain Won’t Stop
Aromatherapy and Migraines
Riboflavin for Migraines
Transformed Migraine
Balancing Chakras to Soothe Migraines
Are You In or Out?
Migraine Prodromes
Using White Noise to Treat Migraine Symptoms
Basilar Migraines
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