Stress can be a major trigger for headaches, and that can include migraine headaches. This is important to note, because people with migraine are often told that their headaches are “just stress.”
Stress, while not always the main trigger, certainly can lead to headaches, though of course, triggers are unique to individuals and not everyone experiencing stress will develop a headache or migraine episode.
On the flip side, “Depression and anxiety increase the stress response within the body, and this can cause inflammation which can trigger migraine,” says Wacker.
Migraine also has the potential to lead to depression. According to Wacker, migraine and depression both can:
- Make it difficult to get out of bed
- Make it difficult to complete both work and personal tasks
- Cause a person to miss out on social interactions
“It has been noted that the more frequently someone experiences migraine headaches, the more depressed they can become. It has even been linked to an increased risk of suicide,” Wacker says.
What’s more, the anticipation of a migraine headache can lead to anxiety, which may ultimately lead to a migraine episode.
“Migraine can trigger anxiety for someone by making them feel unwell and worry about whether they will be able to do their daily routine, work, and take care of things at home,” Wacker says.
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