Understanding the Emotional Migraine

Many people use the term emotional migraine to refer to a dark emotional experience, with no headache involved. This is not the type of emotional migraine addressed in this article.

Emotional migraine headaches are real migraine headaches, but the underlying cause is more emotional than physical.

Example of Emotional Migraine Headaches

Imagine that you suddenly begin having migraine at age 26. You have no family history of migraine, but your physician assures you that it is migraine. She suspects it may be emotional migraine, and inquires into recent lifestyle changes.

“I recently started dating a new person,” you say. Upon further inquiry, your physician uncovers the fact that the new relationship paired a somewhat messy you with a “neat freak.” Every time your date came to your apartment, the messiness started an argument. Your clothes draped every available piece of furniture, and your date suggested ways to put them away. Dirty dishes occupied tables, floor, and other surfaces. Your date argued that you should simply put them in your dishwasher when they were empty. “Then I started getting migraines,” you explain. “I had to go to bed with them every weekend, so I really couldn’t clean the apartment. My date became more understanding then.”

Your physician shows you the link. Your emotional migraine is caused by your keen desire to avoid cleaning, and have an excuse for the avoidance.

Triggers of Emotional Migraine Headaches

Migraine can be triggered by dietary, environmental, hormonal, and physical factors. Emotional migraine has its triggers, too. All are equally likely to bring on a headache episode regardless of the eventual headache diagnosis.

In the example above, the emotional migraine was triggered by guilt. Here are seven other triggers of emotional migraine.

1. Anger
2. Anxiety
3. Boredom
4. Depression
5. Disappointment
6. Excitement
7. Frustration

Emotional migraine can be brought on by a number of different stressors. Difficult relationships, discrimination, overload at work, unsatisfying work, and mental fatigue are just a few stressors that can cause emotional migraine.

Onset of Emotional Migraine Headaches

When an emotional migraine is caused by a stressor, the actual head pain usually starts after the stressful event. Just as you believe you have conquered the stress, and are letting down, an emotional migraine hits.

Some people experience emotional migraine most frequently on weekends. Others find that emotional migraine ruins holidays or vacations – times when they think they will be able to relax and have fun.

The Solution

The ultimate resolution of emotional migraine is to do some emotional landscaping. Enlist family, friends, and co-workers’ support in helping you avoid emotional hills and dales.

Structure your life to balance excitement with peaceful times. Balance your workload to avoid times of extreme pressure, explaining your emotional migraine to your superior, if necessary. Work out a schedule that allows sufficient, regular rest.

Emotional migraine can be easier to prevent than other migraine. It will take strong desire and determination, but you need not give up your life.