Migraine and abuse

Dr. Tietjen reports in the current issue of Neurology on a survey performed at six headache clinics. A total of 949 women with migraine completed the survey: 40% had chronic headache (that is headaches occuring on more than 15 days each month) and 72% had “very severe” headache-related disability. Major depression was recorded in 18%. Physical or sexual abuse was reported in 38%, and 12% reported both physical and sexual abuse in the past. Migraineurs with current major depression reported physical and sexual abuse in higher frequencies compared to those without depression. Women with major depression were more likely to report sexual abuse occurring before age 12 years and the relationship was stronger when abuse occurred both before and after age 12 years. Women with major depression were also twice as likely to report multiple types of maltreatment compared to those without depression. Similar findings have been reported in patients with chronic pain other than headaches. Brains of migraine sufferers have been found to be more excitable than brains of people without migraines. It is likely that trauma of abuse makes the nervous system even more excitable and more prone to developing chronic pain and headaches.