how does trauma affect migraine

Hi. I'm so relieved to hear you got out of that situation and I hope you are safe and supported now. I'm not an expert on this, but from what I've read and heard from people here on the site, any strong emotions can lead to migraine or increase frequency. We commonly hear people say they try not to cry or even laugh too much, because it can kick off an attack.

Anna wrote an excellent article about trauma and headache diseases: https://migraine.com/living-migraine/trauma-and-headache-diseases

There is also a book called, "The Body Keeps the Score," which talks about the ways our bodies can hold on to difficult experiences.

It's good that you're seeing a therapist. Have you talked about your migraine history with them? They may be able to help you start to release some of the physical effects of what you've been through. Be patient with yourself, and take it one day at a time. Wishing you peace! -Melissa, team member

So I had a telehealth session today with my neurologist NP. She told me after everything I went through I'm still healing and it takes time. She said my truama and ptsd and anxiety put the migraine into a loop. As I heal, the migraines will get better.

She told me what my therapist said. I have great inner wisdom. Also one of the speakers on the Migraine World Summit had talked about how trauma can affect migraines. Specifically childhood trauma. I've had that plus I left an abusive relationship 6 months ago. I'm healing from that too. The speaker at the Migraine World Summit was Nicole Sachs, LCSW. She has a podcast on Youtube on how to heal chronic pain. For anyone who has migraines or other chronic pain, I have learned my emotions can be a trigger. I also have anxiety. When my anxiety is high, my migraines are more frequent and intense. And Im more sound sensitive. Journaling my bad experiences and getting it out in therapy and doing meditations and exercise is helping my brain and nervous system heal. I hope other migraine sufferers can use my experience to know we can lesson our pain. By doing natural things to relax. Finding what helps us feel better naturally. Being kind and gentle with ourselves even when our bodies dont let us do all the things we want to do. I hate being so sound sensitive all the time. Especially living in an apartment. But I have to stop being mad at my nervous system and work with it. Earplugs when I have to use them or sleep with them. I'm 57 dealing with all this and menopause too. I hope Ive helped by sharing my story.

I never realized there could be a connection between trauma and migraines until I started reading more about it. It makes sense that long-term stress and unresolved emotional experiences could affect the nervous system and potentially trigger more frequent headaches.