What exactly does migraine stigma at school look like? How does embarrassment and fear of judgment keep us from succeeding in our education?


Accommodations in school settings are crucial to those with chronic health disorders. Student disability centers can provide numerous strategies to help make school more accessible. Yet, so few students actually use these services. It’s not because we do not need them, so why are we so afraid to use accommodations?

How learning accommodations help students with health issues

Those with chronic health issues face an uphill battle when it comes to education. Students with health issues fail classes at drastically higher rates. One study recorded how many students had failed at least one class before completing high school. Theses rates were 69% in those with emotional issues, 61% in those with standard learning disorders, and 64% in those with other health issues [1].

The dropout rate for students with learning disabilities triples the rate for average students [2]. Obviously, help is needed. So why do we not believe we deserve these accommodations?

What is stigma?

Much of this boils down to stigma. Others do not believe that we deserve accommodations, and either we believe it, too, or we are afraid of being judged by those who do believe it. ‘Coming out,’ or identifying yourself as someone with your disease can cause more disadvantages than advantages (i.e. the benefits from the accommodations) simply due to the world’s perception of this disease [1]. This is stigma.

Stigma varies across diseases. Most people would agree that a college student with cancer deserves to miss classes during a hospital visit. Unlimited absences are a must. But if the same student misses class while in the hospital to deal with a migraine attack, suddenly the empathy disappears. If he is going to miss class so much, maybe college just isn’t for him. People now find it appropriate to make judgments about someone else’s medical care and the validity of this condition.


Migraine carries a particularly strong stigma [2]. Even compared to other neurological diseases, stigma against migraine is stronger than epilepsy, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s [3]. These stats hold despite the fact that migraine is among the top ten most disabling diseases worldwide.

Stigma roots from the belief that a particular disease or disorder does not stand as valid. This person is faking. Others have it so much worse. Migraine is just a headache- get over it. If a certain disease is seen as not really a big deal, then people don’t understand that measures should be required to fix them. This is stigma.

The only people deserving of a say in which accommodations you deserve are you, your doctor, and your disability counselor.

Marginalized populations get a one-two punch from stigma

Stigma against seeking help for disabilities also increases in marginalized populations. Minority populations, such as people of color, are more likely to have a learning disorder and less likely to receive diagnosis and treatment [1]. Cultural perceptions shift in viewing different diseases and disabilities as weakness or, once again, invalid. Those with lower socioeconomic status often must overcome greater barriers to receiving proper validation.

Self-stigma: When you start to believe it

The prejudice we experience from society often infiltrates our own perceptions, causing a phenomenon called self-stigma. Self-stigma leads to anxiety, depression, self-esteem issues, and a decrease in accommodation utilization [2].


This decrease in using accommodations stems largely in guilt. We feel guilty, as if these services provide us an unfair advantage or as if they are a limited resource and utilizing them will be at the expense of someone who “has it worse.” This guilt stems largely from the insecurity of being disabled enough. Yes, I have a million reasons on how my health impacts my quality of life, but am I really disabled? What if somebody suffers more?

In reality, someone else’s health has no impact on yours. Your pain is not somehow lessened just because somebody has a seemingly more horrific diagnosis. Your condition is real, and it is valid. Your condition deserves help.

It is important to be your own advocate:

Make an appointment with your school’s disability office and your professors.

Explain in detail how migraine affects your education.

Explain which accommodations may help you succeed.

Most importantly, explain these issues with the confidence of knowing you deserve this help. You deserve to succeed.

How to Recognize Migraine Stigma at School

Stigma occurs whenever you are made to feel that someone else, or even you, is second-guessing or doubting your condition. Stigma occurs when a teacher rolls his eyes at an excused absence or asks if you can wait to go to the clinic until after a test.

Stigma can also present itself in more subtle ways. Even polite refusals for accommodations can be steeped heavily in stigma. Any refusal of predetermined learning accommodations is not only prejudiced and wrong, but it is also often illegal. Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and 504 plans are legally binding documents designed to protect the student. Discuss your rights with a guidance counselor and the student disability center, and enforce your rights to the fullest.

Reasonable Accommodations for Migraine

As symptoms of migraine vary, there is not a single list of which accommodations will most benefit migraine. Think of your worst symptoms and how each could be improved. Try out different options and decide which strategies work for you.

Here are a few accommodations to consider:

Unlimited absences or flexible hours Private testing centers that are darker and quieter Peer assistance with note-taking to help with sensory overload Computer-assisted learning like text-to-speech software for textbooks


These are just a few suggestions. (Find more here). A creative and helpful counselor can create a limitless list of possible accommodations. Be open and detailed about your symptoms and triggers and give your counselor honest feedback.

Migraine stigma is a very real force in many areas of life. Education is far too important to sacrifice to stigma. Stand up for yourself and stand up for students with disabilities everywhere. Every child deserves a fair and accommodated education.

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