Site Meter Mental & Emotional Health » Blog Archive » Women + Migraines + Depression = Recognition, finally!

Women + Migraines + Depression = Recognition, finally!

by Sarah Gould

Finally recognized, on January 9th in the issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology, “women with chronic headache, especially migraines, are more likely to be depressed, feel tired, and have a host of other severe physical symptoms.” 18 million women are affected in just the United States by headaches.

1,032 women at headache clinics in five states (I’d be curious to know which states and clinics, actually) were involved in the study. 593 were episodic headache sufferers (episodic headaches are fewer than 15 a month) and 439 were chronic (more than 15/month) and 90% of the women had been diagnosed with migraines.

The study found that women with chronic, rather than episodic, headaches are four times more likely to report symptoms of major depression. Chronic headache sufferers are also three times more likely to exhibit & report a higher number of symptoms related to headaches; low energy, trouble sleeping, nausea, dizziness, pain or problems during intercourse & pain in the stomach, back, arms, legs & other joints. Those who report these severe symptoms also have an increase in depression 32-fold.

The author of this particular study; Gretchen Tietjen, MD from the University of Toledo Health Science Campus & a member of the American Academy of Neurology remarked that “painful physical symptoms may provoke or be a manifestation of major depression in women with chronic headache, and depression may heighten pain perception. This relation between migraine and major depression suggests a common neurobiology.� She also writes that studies are underway to test whether severe headaches, severe physical symptoms and major depression may be linked through dysfunction of serotonin in the CNS. “Regardless of what’s causing the link between migraine and depression, psychiatric disease such as depression complicates headache management and can lead to poorer outcomes for headache management,� Tietjen says.


4 Responses to “Women + Migraines + Depression = Recognition, finally!”

  1. Sara Wilson Says:

    Excuse, and what you think concerning forthcoming elections?

  2. emma Says:

    cool blog!

  3. Timoty Says:

    cool blog!

  4. Tima Says:

    nice photos of this blog

Leave a Reply


About Mental & Emotional Health

Explore mental and emotional health issues including mood disorders, depression, anxiety and anger problems. We’ll also keep up with the latest scientific research on developments related to mental health. Stress, physical illnesses and pain can trigger negative feelings and despair but we’ll focus on how to cope through those difficult times.

Mental & Emotional Health Author(s)
    » Jerri-Ann

Science & Health Channel Posts

  • Holiday Workout Pt 2
    Here’s the second part of your Holiday Workout. If you’ve wondered about the band; you can find them at Walmart, Kmart, and just about any sporting goods store. They are also super cheap, and you [...]
  • Linkfest & Story Updates
    It's time once again for your general smorgasbord of links from all around the web, as well as some follow ups to stories mentioned in previous blog posts. It also means I'm having yet another [...]
  • FYI: It's Impossible to be 'Pretty in Mink'
    I have news for you, Clare Boothe Luce Policy Institute, there is nothing smart, proud, nor pretty about wearing the pelt of a animal that lived and died under horrendous conditions. You can try as [...]
  • Talking to Someone After A Failed Suicide Attempt
    I've screwed up more suicide attempts than I care to admit, so I'm sadly more than qualified to write this article. If you're reading this, chances are you have also gone through a failed suicide [...]
  • Questions from a Meat-Eating Child
    I was eating dinner with a group of friends last night. Three of us were vegetarians and this intrigued the kids at the table. 8-year-old: Why would someone not eat meat? Meat eater: Ask her [...]
  • Diabetes Hits Blacks, Poor Harder
    Black people are 1.8 times as likely to develop diabetes as whites. Diabetics are more likely to experience greater disability from complications such as amputations, blindness, kidney failure and [...]
  • Same Workout, New Pants Size
    Make your usual workout burn more calories -- without working a stitch harder -- with this simple switch: Do cardio before you strength train. Doing cardio first -- brisk walking, cycling, swing [...]
  • Go Bananas for a Healthier Colon
    What do bananas have in common with corn, eggs, salmon, and spinach? Hint: a vitamin that’s great for your colon. We’re talking about B6. And science shows that simply getting your share of [...]
  • 50 Reasons to Get a Headache
    If you tell your doctor you have a problem with headaches and don't give any more information, you're going to get a really distressed look. That's because headaches are a symptom of many hundreds [...]
  • Holiday Workout - Part 1
    Holiday Workout - Part 1 Tis the season to eat with reckless abandon. That means you’ve got to get serious about your workout plan and tighten up the slack (literally and figuratively) in your [...]

Hot Off The Press

  • Albuquerque NM Film office
    [caption id="attachment_796" align="alignnone" width="480" caption="Hey, just about anyone can work films in NM...."][/caption] Well not anybody, however the State of NM really keeps offering [...]
  • Know Your Noxious Weeds and Invasive Species: Giant Hogweed
    It is true that I am a nerd that enjoys the study of nature and all of its creatures, and part and parcel of living in Portland, Oregon is enjoying nature. So today, I will bring you the fruit of my [...]
  • So, let's talk about the runner-up
    Listen, I don't know what those folks over there at People were thinking but it certainly wasn't anywhere along the same lines as me.  I mean, Daniel Craig is a Bond man and he has those [...]
  • What's Up Austin: The Weekend Line-up for 11/22/08
    I am freezing today. I stepped out this evening to go bowling with friends and it actually smelled like winter outside. I put on socks and shoes today, leaving my sandals behind. I've got the urge to [...]
  • Silver Giveaway
    Christmas has always been perceived as the season for giving and receiving. ‘Guess it’s no wonder why this is the time of the year when people all around the world is in unison when it [...]
  • Albuquerque dances all night long? T or F?
    [caption id="attachment_47" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="OK OK, I'll go and listen to some music!"][/caption] Almost all night long. Here's some other event news from ABQarts.org [...]

  • [caption id="attachment_1225" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Santa Fe Dreaming..."][/caption] Ok this is a funky site that you must go visit,please, if you want to catch the wave (in a [...]
  • people never change
    There is an Introductory Address in the third edition of Domestic Cookery, Useful Receipts, And Hints to Young Housekeepers. by Elizabeth E. Lea. She also claims that "The Source of Liberal [...]
  • Swimming And Dving In The Lead After First Day At Alabama
    The No. 7 Auburn swimming and diving teams are both in the lead heading into the final session of its two-day dual meet at in-state rival Alabama. After 24 events in the "Iron Bowl of Swimming," the [...]
  • More Good Ratings
    [caption id="attachment_619" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Photo from DaemonsTV.com"][/caption] Criminal Minds was the #2 show in Canada this week, according to the Canadian Press. [...]