Can anxiety cause ocular migraines
Anxiety and migraine are old friends. When you have a migraine, you can't help but worry: Will my manager be upset if I miss work again? What does this symptom mean? What happens if I run out of medication this month? Is this crisis going to be very strong? Will I ever feel normal again? For some people, these migraine worries can escalate and turn into an anxiety disorder It is important to note that migraine is a neurological disorder, and not (as some people think) a psychological condition. However, scientists have found that there appears to be a relationship between migraine and anxiety disorders. Researchers who conducted a review of 178 studies found that epidemiological studies "suggest that patients with migraine - especially those with chronic migraine and migraine with aura - have an increased risk of major depression, anxiety or suicidal behavior compared to subjects not suffering from migraine. "[I]
So, does migraine cause anxiety? Or does anxiety cause migraine?
This is a question that researchers have not been able to answer definitively. Many suggest that the relationship is two-way - migraine can increase the likelihood of anxiety, and anxiety, in turn, can exacerbate migraine. “In particular, the prevalence of anxiety increases with the frequency of migraine, suggesting a 'dose-response' effect; the comorbidity between migraine and anxiety disorders is also enhanced by the presence of drug abuse and concomitant depression, ”the above researchers wrote in The Journal of Headache and Pain. [ii] As scientists attempt to shed light on the complex relationship between migraine and anxiety, people who live with these two conditions are simply trying to manage them. “Anxiety isn't just worry and fear, it's also avoidance that keeps us from doing the things we need and want to do,” migraine headache Jennifer wrote for Migraine Strong. “She chains us to our sofas, imploring us to avoid anything that creates these disturbing thoughts. Sometimes even preventing us from doing the things we love.
" What anxiety disorders are most often associated with migraine?
There are five main types of anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and social phobia. . [iii] Numerous studies have shown that people with GAD and panic disorder, in particular, are susceptible to migraines or other types of headaches, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. [Iv] People who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder worry a lot about everyday things, find it difficult to control their worries, and know they worry more than they should. Other symptoms include restlessness, fatigue or irritability; difficulty concentrating and trouble sleeping, among others. People who suffer from panic disorder experience sudden and repeated panic attacks. They are characterized by overwhelming anxiety and fear, as well as a feeling of being out of control or impending doom. Some physical symptoms of a panic attack include: heartbeat, sweating, chills, tremors, breathing problems, weakness or dizziness, tingling or numbness in the hands, chest pain, stomach pain, and nausea. If you think you have an anxiety disorder, talk to your health care provider about the best ways to treat it. Many people have success with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a form of psychotherapy that teaches new ways of thinking about and reacting to situations that cause your anxiety. [V] If your anxiety is related to fear or to to worry about migraine attacks, you can try migraine preventive treatments that can reduce the frequency and severity of the attacks.
[i] Dresler, T., Caratozzolo, S., Guldolf, K. et al. Understanding the nature of psychiatric comorbidity in migraine: a systematic review focused on interactions and treatment implications. J Headache Pain 20, 51 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-019-0988-x
[ii] Dresler, T., Caratozzolo, S., Guldolf, K. et al. Understanding the nature of psychiatric comorbidity in migraine: a systematic review focused on interactions and treatment implications. J Headache Pain 20, 51 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-019-0988-x
[iii] https://www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/what-are-the-five-major-types-of-anxiety-disorders/index.html
[iv] https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/related-illnesses/headaches
[v] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders/index.shtml#part_145338
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