support system is key , according to Jack David Schim , MD , co-director of the Headache Center of Southern California in Encinitas , Calif .
“ A natural response during a migraine attack is to shut down and withdraw from the world because that ’ s what your nervous system requires ,” he says . “[ Migraine sufferers ] get a sense of being abandoned , which is very disruptive and very corrosive . It ’ s important to have backup and support among family , friends and co-workers .”
ONLY A HEADACHE ?!
People who suffer from migraines hear it all the time :
“ It ’ s only a headache . Can ’ t you just get through it ?” Before migraineurs can get the support they need , they must help others truly understand what they are going through , says Mark Green , MD , director of headache and pain medicine at New York ’ s Mount Sinai School of Medicine . People with migraine usually get head pain , but that ’ s not the only issue . They also experience other symptoms , such as cognitive issues , exhaustion , nausea , and light and sound sensitivity — all of which get worse with activity . “ What that means is people tend not to be able to do anything ,” Dr . Green says . “ With any kind of exertion , they get worse , so they become immobilized .”
3 GREAT RESOURCES FOR NON-SUFFERERS
If you ’ re looking for a way to help your friends and family understand your condition , these three resources can help .
A Guided Tour of Hell : In the Words of Migraine Sufferers , by Kristine Hatak : This revealing book presents a compilation of descriptive quotes — ranging from the frustrated to the humorous — designed to translate the migraine experience for non-sufferers .
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Migraine Notebook : This free app — available for Apple ’ s iPhone , iPad and iPod Touch — was created by the National Headache Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline . It allows you to keep track of your triggers , treatments , and symptoms and gives you a written record you can share with non-sufferers .
Life and Migraine , a 2005 documentary by Edmund Messina , MD : Life and Migraine chronicles 13 migraine sufferers , who recount their experiences with friends , family , co-workers and medical professionals .
In November 2010 , market research firm Harris Interactive conducted an online survey of 1,218 migraine patients and found that migraines negatively impact 94 percent of patients ’ lives , forcing them to avoid , cut short or interrupt daily activities , such as chores , work and spending time with family ( see “ Life … Interrupted ” sidebar ).
This other , emotional half of the story is often the most disruptive — and the most difficult to explain to non-sufferers , says Merle Diamond , MD , managing director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago . Dr . Diamond , who also suffers from migraines , recalls missing her son ’ s 10th birthday party due to an attack . “ If you took 100 migraine patients and put them in a room , all of them would probably say they are still surrounded by people who are somewhat ignorant and think it ’ s just a headache ,” she says . “ It ’ s very traumatic .”
PORTRAYING YOUR PAIN
One reason non-sufferers can ’ t understand migraines is that many migraineurs are reluctant to talk about their condition . The Harris Interactive survey found that 41 percent of patients avoid talking about migraines with family and friends . The typical excuses : “ They don ’ t understand how severe migraines are ;” “ I don ’ t want to burden them ;” “ They can ’ t relate to what I ’ m going through ;” and “ They don ’ t think it ’ s a serious condition .”
Although verbal communication is often lacking , it is incredibly important for migraine sufferers seeking support — especially since migraines are “ invisible .”
“ It ’ s not like diabetes or asthma ,” Dr . Diamond says . “ You can ’ t see it and you can ’ t really touch it , so it ’ s harder for people to get what it is . That means you have to explain it to them
28 HEAD WISE | Volume 1 , Issue 2 • 2011