Migraine

According to a study published in the September 4, 2007, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, childhood abuse is more common in women with Migraine who suffer depression than in women with Migraine alone.

"My main message from this work is that a history of abuse is more common in persons with migraine, depression, and other painful symptoms than in those with migraine alone. It is possible that abuse, by causing great stress, changes the brain and brain chemistry, and makes one more susceptible to pain and depression. Having a better understanding of how this occurs will aid in the development of better treatment." (Gretchen Tietjen, MD, study author)

Read Depression in Women with Migraine Linked to Childhood Abuse

Interesting! Thanks for bringing the study to our attention, and your comments on it.

Even though I'm very fortunate to have no history of abuse, I've got Major Depression along with my migraines and chronic daily headaches. However, I tend to believe the study. Especially because the lead investigator is named Gretchen. <VBG> There aren't many of us around.

Gretchen

You're welcome, Gretchen.

I've been dealing with depression for many years. Abuse is a bit difficult to define, I think. As a child, I'd never have considered myself abused. As an adult and parent, however, I've often thought that in today's society, my mother would be in jail for abuse. For the slightest infraction -- real or imagined by her -- she's grab a fly swatter or yard stick and hit my legs with it until they bled. She was also bad about screaming that if I wanted to cry, she'd give me something to cry about. She's someone who should never have had children.

As long as nobody takes that study and starts with the "It's all in your head" crap, we'll be fine. I do think that there should be far better depression screening.

quote:

Originally posted by gwp:
Interesting! Thanks for bringing the study to our attention, and your comments on it.

Even though I'm very fortunate to have no history of abuse, I've got Major Depression along with my migraines and chronic daily headaches. However, I tend to believe the study. Especially because the lead investigator is named Gretchen. <VBG> There aren't many of us around.

Gretchen

Teri, I've got a focusing issue this morning I know, but I didn't see emotional abuse on the list did I? That surprised me.

Bitsy,

No, you didn't see emotional abuse on the list. Here's a bit directly from the journal article:

The questionnaire collected information on physical abuse (“Have you ever been hit, punched, slapped, kicked, bitten, grabbed, choked by a family member, current or former spouse, or significant other at any point in the past?”), sexual abuse (“Have you ever been sexually assaulted or abused?”), and fear for life related to the abuse (“Have you ever been hurt or frightened so badly by a family member, current or former spouse, or significant other that you were in fear for your life?”... The participant was also queried regarding whether she had witnessed 1) abusive behavior between adults, or 2) drug/alcohol abuse by adults in her childhood home.)

I'm not sure why. Maybe it was because emotional abuse is more difficult to define and quantify. But it is surprising.

quote:

Originally posted by mcdirector:
Teri, I've got a focusing issue this morning I know, but I didn't see emotional abuse on the list did I? That surprised me.

Thanks Teri,

Like I said, I'm having focusing issues. I appreciate you helping me clarify.

Here I sit, nearing 50 y.o. recovering from my latest migraine and another emotional slap from THE family member. My sister and I are trying desperately to come to some terms with things. We are making progress, but it is slow.

It would have been helpful to me for know that I could pinpoint something. Maybe it's just the timing or that I'm an emotional mess today . . .