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can anxiety cause migranes?

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Posted 9/25/2011 10:07 AM (GMT 0)
For the last few weeks I've been having headaches every day. They're not bad really...they're just kind of all the time. I'm wondering if anxiety can be causing them. At this point I am convinced that it's some kind of brain tumor because it's in different parts of my head and I think everything in my body is some life threatening illness. I don't really know much about what anxiety does to your body but this it's what is freaking me out lately.
Does anyone else get headaches or always think they are sick with something dangerous?
Love, Alice
Posted 9/25/2011 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SA, yes I have had chronic headaches (ones that last for days, or clusters of headaches for over a week at a time) and yes, it is easy for the mind to jump to the worst case senario!

However, headaches are very commom and related to anxiety for many reasons.

A couple of things to consider...

Do you hold tension in your upper body? I really have to watch this. Even if I am not feeling particularly stresssed, I notice that my shoulders are often pratically up to my ears! I can be cooking dinner, or doing some simple project and they creep up, causing tight shoulder and neck muscles...praticallly inviting a tension headache.

Also be careful about pain relievers. I can't remember the reason, but you can get a rebound effect from them if you take them for too long...actually making the problem worse!  It is best to take a break from them sometimes and try natural remedies if possible. (light exercises/streches, cold compress, rest)

Progressive muscle relaxation is going to be your best friend in relieving a tension headache. We have a link that teaches this in our Resource Guide. If praticed daily (not just when you have symptoms) it will decrease the tension throughout the whole body...give it a try.

I hope that this gives you a place to start. From your description, it doesn't sound like you are experiencing migraines...but if the headaches don't let up, or get worse, consult your doctor. (the treatment for migraines is completely different from that of a regular headache)

Good luck and good health,
S.C.
Posted 9/25/2011 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Alice!

you may want to go by your local book store and pickup a book on anxiety. If you are not familiar with what anxiety can make you feel like or how it works, it would be helpful to get some knowledge about it.

 

Feeling like each thing happening in your body maybe a life threatening thing can put you in a really bad anxiety cycle. It's more than likely unrealistic thoughts, and it will feed the anxiety. Anxiety lives off of fear...false fear and not really knowing about something like anxiety will certainly cause some fear and worry. So pickup a book and calm your fears and your headaches just might disappear!!

Best wishes.......WM

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Posted 9/25/2011 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning,

To the best of my knowledge, depression and anxiety can greatly affect your headache profile and are recognized by headache experts as a migraine trigger.

I agree with SC, do check in with your Dr. if your headaches continue to be a problem.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 9/25/2011 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Sorry to here you are having headache problems I to have issues with this and they tend to be worse when I am more anxious. It is easy to jump to conclusions and I have fallen foul of that many times. I agree with SC to if they continue go and speak with your doctor. Keep us posted we are here for you.

Hibee
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