Waking up in the morning with a pounding headache would ruin most people’s day. Waking up with that very same headache and debilitating depression can feel like a nightmare. Unfortunately, depression and migraine headaches are all too common in most people, and people who get frequent migraines can be more prone to depressive symptoms. In addition, symptoms of depression can feed migraine headache pain.
A headache is uncomfortable, but the excruciating pain due to a migraine is debilitating and can interfere with everyday activities. Unfortunately, the relationship between migraines and depression is a strong one, and people who suffer from migraines are five times more likely to develop depression than someone who does not suffer migraines.
Do Migraines Cause Depression?
While there is no conclusive evidence, researchers have found a strong association between mental health disorders and migraines. In some cases, migraines can cause depression and vise versa. However, the two can be completely unrelated altogether. Unfortunately, not even scientists can put their finger on the exact link between mental health disorders and headache disorders.
There are two classes of headache disorders, primary and secondary, with primary being more common. Primary headaches are not related to underlying health conditions and can be categorized as migraines, tension headaches, and cluster type headaches. If you suffer from depression, anxiety, or both, these types of headaches will likely be worse. Up to 80% of adults suffer tension headaches that could be related to anxiety or depression. If these headaches are linked to depression, there can be other chronic pain associated with it as well. A study by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America found that 11% of participants had migraines along with anxiety or depression disorders. Fortunately, if you do suffer from migraines or other debilitating types of headaches, there may be a silver lining. Headaches can be a common symptom of an anxiety disorder, particularly generalized anxiety disorder. If this is the case, managing your anxiety symptoms can potentially reduce the number of headache days you suffer from.
What Other Factors Cause Migraines?
Obviously, there are lots of other things that can affect migraines and bring depressive symptoms. Some of these things a person can even manage on their own to improve symptoms. For example, one cause that is linked to migraine headaches and depression is poor sleep hygiene. This can cause an increase in tension headaches and migraines. Dehydration can also play a factor as can an imbalance in dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Some causes are largely unknown and can be genetic, situational, or a combination of the two. It can also have to do with the fact that anxiety, depression, and migraines all are related to similar biochemicals in the brain and in the body that can make some people more susceptible to these types of symptoms.
If you suffer from chronic migraines along with depression and anxiety but have not found relief in other medications, ketamine infusion therapy might be right for you. Ketamine infusions are another option for people with treatment-resistant depression or anxiety disorders. Ketamine helps up to 70% of patients find relief in just 1-2 sessions. If you believe you may benefit from ketamine infusion therapy and are looking for a safe alternative to migrate treatments, contact us for a free consultation.