Migraines. They’re not all in our heads…!

Migraines – they’re those painful, all-consuming monsters with a vengeance that you can’t see but most definitely can feel.

But if you’ve never had one it can be hard to relate. After all, it’s just a headache, right…? Here’s some aspects only migraine sufferers will understand.

Advice is ok but don’t act like we’re new at this

Many migraine sufferers have been dealing with them for a long time. They know the stories about cutting out coffee and cheese and probably have a much better handle on how best to minimise the damage than you – especially if you have never had one before. It’s nice to show you care but don’t act like this is brand new information to us and you’re the all-knowing migraine guru.




We’re not drama queens

It’s not all in our head. Well, it sort of is, but not in the way many people seem to think. A little empathy wouldn’t go amiss rather than the assumption we should just take a paracetamol and quit whining.

The pain can be so intense all we want to do is scream

Let us.

Sometimes we need to run and hide

Every migraine is different and people have different reactions to theirs. Some will have lines in their vision, others will get sick or lose balance. However, one thing tends to remain the same for all sufferers – the need to hide away in dark rooms.

Solitude is not always the answer

There’s a key moment near the end of a migraine when the pain starts to subside but the light sensitivity remains. Just because we aren’t out of it enough to leave the protection of our dark room, doesn’t mean we want to be left alone. Often, the migraines are still too painful to allow sleep but we can’t move or turn the light on so we’re basically just lying there twiddling our thumbs until it’s safe to go outside.

Hangovers can be brutal

No, we have not been downing bottles of vodka while we’ve been hiding out in our rooms. Though when the migraine does eventually pass you might think we have. Migraine hangovers can go on for hours and sometimes days. They make us feel really spaced out. Don’t be mean and laugh at us. Unlike actual alcohol hangovers, we did not bring this on ourselves!

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