Is it Depression or Migraine?

By Kerrie Smyres

1 min read

Some of my migraine attacks are accompanied by what feels like clinical depression. I cry, catastrophize, and hate my life for the duration of the migraine attack. When the attack lifts, my mood bounces right back to normal. I've had clinical depression, so I know what it feels like for me. I also know that it doesn't let up without antidepressants. In this video, I explore the odd migraine experience of a sudden, intermittent depression-like mood.

Another perspective

P.S. After I recorded this video, I mentioned my depression-like migraine attacks to a friend who has chronic migraine and depression. She also gets migraine attacks like this. However, she has always thought of them as a depression flare that coincides with migraine attacks, rather than symptoms of the migraine attack. Are we're experiencing the same thing and seeing it different ways, or are we having different experiences? We'll probably never know, but I wanted to share her experience in case it resonates with you more than mine does.

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kateymac Member
Perfect timing, Kerrie. A couple of months ago, I really began to get some “acceptance” of this chronic illness. I stopped waking up angry every day; it has been a huge relief. But for several days, my thinking has been a bit darker - very similar to my depression flair-ups. It crossed my mind that this may be migraine - “manifestation” being a great word for it. I’m 56. As I age, it seems I have more & more non-headache migraine symptoms. I’m relieved by your experience. I’ve been thinking that this little dip will lift, as opposed to thinking I need a med adjustment. It does feel different than clinical depression, which I have a long history of, as well. I’m cognizant that both are possibilities. So I’m watching it. But I also feel less alarmed, as it may likely pass. This is one crazy illness. I never know what it’ll do next. ‍♀️ Thanks, Kerrie!
1. Kerrie Smyres Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="kateymac" user-id="3784217"/> I'm so glad this reached you at a good time! Best wishes as you sort through the current flare. Telling the difference can be so tough. Take care, Kerrie
glassmind Member
I track depressed mood and suicideation as symptoms of migraine flares. I also have bipolar disorder and experience depression and suicideation as reactions to high pain. I am aware enough to differentiate between these three types or causes of the same symptom. (Also, depression due to physical causes, environment, or situation.) Migraine is a neurological condition and can effect any body system including mood and cognition. I also track other moods as Migraine symptoms-aggitation, elation, lethargy, etc. It’s actually rather easy for me to determine the cause of the emotional disregulation or response as they each manifest differently. It’s too lengthy to detail here, but I definately experience emotional symptoms with Migraine and emotional response to Migraine as distinct things.
1. Kerrie Smyres Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="glassmind" user-id="3906820"/> Thanks for sharing your experience. Suicidal ideation as part of a migraine attack sounds frightening and exhausting. I'm so glad you're able to differentiate for all sources of emotional disregulation. What a reassuring skill to have! Take care, Kerrie
Melissa Arnold Community Admin
This is fascinating, Kerrie. The brain is so delicate and so fickle, sometimes. I'm glad you're okay now. Out of curiosity, you mentioned at the end of your video that you experienced bad side effects that only occur when you aren't depressed -- if you're comfortable sharing, I'm interested in what that was for you. I've gone through similar things in the past and always wondered what could be behind it. Hope the new week is peaceful for you! -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
1. Kerrie Smyres Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Melissa.Arnold" user-id="3827796"/> Thanks for your support. I get dizzy spells and have anxiety when I don't need my antidepressant of choice (bupropion). I said "severe" in the video, but "intense" would be a better word. They feel all-encompassing when it's happening. (Although this hasn't happened on antidepressants, I have had suicidal ideation on anticonvulsants and a beta blocker, so I have had experience with side effects I'd consider severe. And don't want my experience on antidepressants to sound more extreme than I meant.) Take care, Kerrie
ajudy1963 Member
I had absolutely no idea that this could be! It makes perfect sense and explains why sometimes, out of the blue, I just start crying. I have chronic, almost daily migraines as well as clinical depression. Thank you for sharing your experience!
1. Kerrie Smyres Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="ajudy1963" user-id="3662690"/> I'm sorry you have this experience, too, but am so glad my story helped you put the pieces together. Take care, Kerrie
christhc Member
This symptom of migraine had me very worried that i was going mad. I could be in full conversation, enjoying the company of friends and it would hit me. I would clam up and be overcome by this sense of utter misery. I would have to get up and leave without explaining, as i knew if i tried to express what had happened i would cry. I asked myself if it was a symptom of mental illness or a symptom of Migraine. I then asked my self if i knew anyone without migraine that this happened to and I didn’t. I think if very sudden passing depression was a common symptom of depresión that passed completely after a few hours then google would know about it. I can’t find anyone in the depresión bloggs who has this, but i know a lot of people with migraine who have this. It is always part of my prodrome. It got much less frightening if i could remember it was the oncoming migraine. Sometimes it fools me, but most days i remember what it is and prepare for whats to come.
1. Kerrie Smyres Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="christhc" user-id="3701714"/> Thank you for sharing your experience. I appreciate your investigative work—it's good to have a broader perspective on this. I'm sorry you have this happen with every prodrome. That sounds utterly exhausting. Take care, Kerrie
theskyremains Member
Thanks so much for sharing this, Kerrie. I was just talking to a friend about my migraine mood swings and wondering how many people experience them. I have "depressed" migraines and "manic" migraines, as I call them, but mood changes aren't a feature of every attack. I'm normally pretty stable when it comes to my mood, so these mood changes are particularly noticeable to me and others. My "depressed" attacks are very similar to yours, and the depression starts as a prodrome/premonitory symptom. I'll sometimes get fixated on an aspect of my life that's problematic in some way and start troubleshooting it to death. Once I realize what's happening, it's a bit easier to cope with it, but it's frustrating because I can't do anything about the low mood until the attack runs its course. Nothing helps. The "manic" migraines at least have some pleasant features. In the premonitory phase, I have more energy than usual, I'm hilarious (or at least I think I am), I'm more creative and social, and I'm a bit impulsive, often purchasing something small on a whim, which is out of character for me. Sometimes it's harder to sleep with the extra energy. Again, things go back to normal once the migraine attack is over. I also have increased anxiety as a feature of some attacks. It makes me wonder whether we'd see a change in something like the brain's sensitivity to mood-related neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, etc.) if this could be measured in real time when we're experiencing attacks that affect mood. Again, thanks for sharing! Hopefully others will watch your video and read the comments and know they aren't alone with these frustrating symptoms. Take care!
1. Kerrie Smyres Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="theskyremains" user-id="3899927"/> Thank you for sharing so many details about your experience. It's interesting what the mood changes are like for you. I don't have the high-energy mood swings of migraine attacks, but know many who describe it as pleasant, as well. I once talked to my headache specialist about your neurotransmitter idea. While studies have show an increase in serotonin in urine during migraine attacks, there's no way to know if that's serotonin from the brain or elsewhere in the body. More research into this would be fascinating. Take care, Kerrie
jjohn Member
My headaches are severe that never stop. Makes it very difficult to sleep. I have a constant buzzing in my left ear...I thought it was tennitis. .but maybe it's something else. My digestive tract is in ruins and the muscles in my legs and arms and always sore. My right ear has a nasty smell to it...like some kind of infection is present. Haven't worked in 2 years before of these issues. Doctors don't want to take the time to diagnose properly. I'm having problems doing daily things like showering and eating. I am alone here in KC....but I talk to my family everyday. They know I'm having issues....but I try need to worry them....they have their own health issues. Very lost at this point. Each day I seem to get worse. Headaches have been going on for years now...but have recently got severe. Tylenol is probably burning a hole in my liver at this point.. Anyways..I'm screwed. Need to see a doctor....signed up for healthcare for $500 a month....doesn't go into affect till April. Till then....I just keep suffering every night.
1. Kerrie Smyres Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="jjohn" user-id="3873092"/> I'm so sorry you're in such a difficult place. I'm glad you have the support of your family and hope you are able to see a doctor soon. I'll be thinking of you. Take care, Kerrie