Symptom 13. Mood Changes: The Emotional Toll of Migraines
Migraines and mood changes are like two sides of the same coin. It’s not unusual to experience significant shifts in mood before, during, or after a migraine. This can range from feeling unusually excitable to feeling down in the dumps.
Let’s dive deeper into this. You might wake up one morning feeling extraordinarily cheerful and energetic, only to be struck by a migraine later. Or you might notice yourself feeling unusually irritable or depressed for no apparent reason. These mood swings can be bewildering, and understanding their connection with migraines can be crucial.
These mood changes are believed to be linked to the changes in brain chemicals that occur during migraines. The same neurotransmitters that play a role in mood regulation are also implicated in migraine attacks. Therefore, it’s not surprising that these mood changes often accompany the headaches.
Experiencing these emotional fluctuations can be incredibly challenging. They add another layer of complexity to the already debilitating experience of migraines, affecting your personal life, professional engagements, and overall mental health.
However, understanding the link between migraines and mood changes can equip you with crucial knowledge. It’s a testament to the all-encompassing impact of migraines, emphasizing that this condition goes far beyond a mere headache. (13)
