December 21, 2010
ADHD and migraines
Got migraines? Me, too.
Got ADHD? Me, too.
And now we know the two may be related! A new study released in December 2010 shows a link between migraine headaches and adult ADHD. The Journal of Attention Disorders published a study based on Norwegian prescription histories of patients with ADHD and migraines. The researchers found a significant overlap between the two, leading to the conclusion that there may be a link between ADHD and increased migraine headaches.
The implications aren’t fully understood (that’s the case with most recently published data) but it could explain a lot of headaches associated with ADHD. I guess the question really is: what came first, the headache or the ADHD that CAUSED the migraine??
Linda are you taking anything that helps both the ADHD and the migraines? I also have both and just stumbled across the connection to both by doing some deductive reasoning and then doing an internet search. I would be interested to see the link to the article you mentioned and hear more from you about your experiences.
I am a 49 year old married man with ADHD and Migraines and have found that Vyvance for the ADHD along the Clonazepam at night for the migraines has helped me significantly. Talk with your doctor but it sure helped me. Good luck.
My husband has ADHD and terrible headaches. This is all knew to me and I am trying to learn how to help or alleviate his headaches. Since we have been together and married his life is stress free so the headaches have not been as bad and his ADHD episodes minimized. But this past weekend the ADHD got really bad to where he couldnt focus and lost interest the projects I had planned. I figured out he was overloaded and needed a distraction so what we went to a Fun 4 All that had batting cages, go carts and arcade games. That seemed to work but 2 days later he had a severe migraine. I am still looking for articles connecting the 2 conditions and how to alleviate or minimize the headaches. Is it dietary? lack of exercise? lack of structure? Anything I can do to help him without taking meds.
I get them frequently and also have ADHD. I think the link is sensory overload. I get them when there are too many things going on in my brain to process them all (stress).