Does Anxiety Cause Migraine Headaches?

Stress and anxiety are tow of the many triggers that can cause migraine headaches. Of all the migraine patients 85 percent suffer from some amount of anxiety and depression. So while they are closely associated which one is the original cause? Does anxiety cause migraine headaches or do the headaches cause anxiety and stress?

The Chicken And Egg Syndrome - Solving the Puzzle

Some experts say that migraines lead to anxiety attacks and depression while others are of the opinion that anxiety is what triggers the migraines. Both these schools of thought are right to some extent since anxiety does make pain worse while pain usually pushes the patient into depression.  There have been lots of research studies that have wanted to find out how exactly anxiety cause migraine headaches but the results have been uncertain.

The fact that the nervous pathways and receptors for headache and depression are similar to each other could be a reason why these two are so closely interrelated.  Those who suffer from anxiety attacks would some time or other develops into full blown migraines. Similarly, those who suffer from migraines would at times feel overwhelmed by an anxiety attack and depression. It is true that most migraine patients feel acutely depressed before or after the attack.

The question then should not be how does anxiety cause migraine headaches, but whether or not anxiety causes migraines. The answer to this question seems affirmative. Anxiety does seem to cause migraines and it is as a matter of fact considered by many to be one of the most significant triggers for this type of pain. Anxiety is a result of stress which is among the leading factors that cause migraines.

Why Does Anxiety Cause Migraine Headaches?

The answer to this question might look simple and obvious, but it is not. Migraines do develop in the wake of anxiety attacks but why they do is not fully understood. It is suspected that the stress levels that cause anxiety also act as a trigger for migraines. There are many other factors that combine to set off this trigger for a migraine; as a result it is not yet clear what role anxiety plays in this field or how does anxiety causes migraine headaches.

Many times the depression, stress and anxiety that leads to migraine headaches can be limited by mental relaxation, exercise, yoga and other calming activates that can reduce these challenges.