Tackling Migraine Stigma and Misconceptions: Migraine Awareness Week

This week it’s Migraine Awareness Week and we have been looking into the problems, pain and stigmatisation that accompanies this often misunderstood illness. There are more migraines sufferers than people who live with diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined in the UK, costing the economy an estimated £2.25 billion a year. With over six million people experiencing migraines and 25 million working days lost every year, it’s clear that this isn’t simply about a passing headache.

What Are Migraines?

Migraines are a neurophysiological disorder characterised by throbbing headaches, often experienced on one side of the head. The intensity of these headaches varies from person to person (and even migraine to migraine), and can be accompanied by feelings of sickness and sensitivity to light and sound. People who live with migraines may also experience auras, visual disturbances such as sparkles, coloured spots, flashing lights and tunnel vision, before the headache develops. There are even “silent” migraines where people see auras and experience other symptoms, but do not suffer the headache.

Migraines affect one in seven people and are twice as likely to affect women than men. Despite being a relatively common experience, the exact cause of migraines is still unknown. About half of those who experience migraines have a close relative who also suffer from the condition, hinting at a predisposed genetic element, but the best theory at this time is that migraines are the result of temporary changes in chemicals, nerves and blood vessels in the brain.

Some people have particular triggers for their migraines, such as menstruation, stress, exhaustion or certain food and drinks (the Joanne Harris novel Five Quarters of the Orange features a character whose migraines are proceeded by the strong smell of oranges). Their frequency also varies wildly from person to person, with some only experiencing an attack every few years, while others get them several times a week. The pain in itself can be debilitating, rendering sufferers inactive and prompting a hasty retreat to a darkened room until the migraine passes. However, other feelings such as anxiety, aversion to light and noise, confusion and dizziness also make normal life difficult during a migraine attack.

Why Is There Migraine Stigma?

Like period pain, depression and many “invisible illnesses”, the effect of migraines can be wildly underestimated, and those who experience them are sometimes accused of exaggeration or not putting in the effort needed to help themselves. This can have huge personal ramifications. Migraine sufferers can end up feeling misunderstood and dismissed, and worried about how sick-leave will affect their boss’s attitude towards them and their career.

This hasn’t been helped by the fact that migraines have become a favourite excuse (probably just behind the “mystery mid-week, 24-hour stomach bug” that appears after a night of Tuesday indulgence) for those pulling a sickie. A recent YouGov poll of 2,105 people found 15% of workers who admitted to making up illness to get a day off used migraine as their excuse. Migraines have probably developed this questionable accolade through the same reasons that make it often underestimated – that is, being hard to define, unpredictable, generally short-lived and invisible.

This means that genuine migraine sufferers fear that they won’t be believed or taken seriously. Beyond this, they can also feel that their absenteeism will mean they are overlooked for promotion, and that even an understanding boss may not give them more responsibility for fear of exacerbating the condition. No one wants to feel that they are considered unreliable at work, and being seen as somehow “delicate” can make people feel uncomfortable and held back in the workplace.

In some circumstances people experience migraines of such regularity and intensity that they can’t work at all, and then face the uphill battle of proving how ill they are to secure government help and support – something that’s only getting harder. This is especially difficult considering migraines are often thought of in the popular consciousness as a minor problem, or “just a headache”.

Raising Awareness of Migraines.

Whether it’s an issue that only bothers you inconsequentially every few months, or something that has a huge impact of your life, there are ways to manage migraines and lots of support and advice available. Here at Will Williams Meditation we aim to help people manage their migraines through Beeja meditation, if you think you could benefit from our help, please get in touch, we’re always available to help.