If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the chances are you already know the struggle this condition presents and the unique challenges one has to deal with. What you may not realize is that the persons living with ADHD are also at an increased risk for experiencing migraines.
While the researchers and scientists are yet to determine the exact connection of migraine with ADHD, there appear to be several viable possibilities, from hormones to genetics to the existence of an underlying sleep disorder that will precipitate both the conditions. In the following section, we will try to examine the connection between migraine and ADHD, and try to offer strategies for minimizing their impact on your lives.
The Connection between ADHD, Migraine, Stress, and Anxiety
If you have been trying to cope up with ADHD, you are already familiar with the constellation of comorbidities that will accompany this typical disorder such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Unfortunately, these conditions have also been shown to precipitate migraines. Already we know that sleep disorders and stress are directly related to migraines.
For instance, we have enough research to back the fact that sleep apnea and depression are strongly related. And both of these disorders combined can precipitate or worsen the symptoms of both migraine and ADHD. As a result, the individual is stuck in a vicious cycle in which a network of comorbidities – mood swings, sleep disorders, migraine, and ADHD – feed off of and aggravate each other.
Nevertheless, the root cause of these comorbidities can be more complex that what we could explain here and they derive from a combination of physiological and environmental factors. Another link that we could find between migraine and ADHD is the stimulant medications taken during the treatment of ADHD symptoms.
The medication given during the treatment can cause a mild headache in the back of the head as a dose of medication is wearing off, or it can trigger a true migraine through the entire head that precipitates meds due to the pain.
If you are suffering ADHD and your heaviness in your head often, here are certain strategies that you can use:
- Try to reduce the stress out of your life. While this is not easily possible, you can at least try to keep the person suffering from ADHD away from any unwanted stress. Take actions to reduce stress, and avoid feeling overwhelmed at every word that is uttered.
- Maximize Sleep: Migraine is closely linked to sleep disorders and so, you must take steps to take more peaceful sleep. Addressing the problem of lack of sleep will help you a long way in fighting the symptoms of ADHD and migraine.
Come to us if you are looking for a private ADHD assessment in London.
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