Migraine and Seasonal Affective Disorder

Like many people, you probably have a favorite season you look forward to every year. You may also have seasons that get you down. For example, many people notice that they experience greater feelings of sadness or have trouble finding the motivation to do things they typically enjoy when the days start getting shorter.

You may know that these feelings can result from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or seasonal depression, but did you know there is also a connection between SAD and migraine? Continue reading to learn more about how SAD and migraine are linked and how to relieve the symptoms of both.

What is seasonal affective disorder?

If you feel sad or tired in the winter, you may have a medical condition affecting over 10 million Americans. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that causes symptoms during certain times of the year. Some common symptoms associated with SAD are:

• Headaches
• Loss of interest in activities
• Irritability and anxiety
• Feelings of sadness, worthlessness or guilt
• Fatigue or sleeping too much
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Decreased sex drive
• Changes in appetite, such as craving more carbohydrates than usual

Typically, the symptoms of SAD occur in fall and winter when there is less sunlight, as the shorter days can trigger a chemical change in your brain to produce less of the serotonin chemical and more of the melatonin hormone. However, some people can experience SAD in the summer as well.

Can SAD cause migraine?

While SAD does not directly cause migraine, some of the contributing factors of SAD can trigger a migraine attack, like:

• Dehydration
• Sleeping pattern disruption
• Seasonal allergies
• Shorter days and longer nights
• Dramatic weather changes

Tips for managing SAD and seasonal migraine

Fortunately, there are numerous options for treating seasonal affective disorder migraine.

1. Maintain your normal routine

Sticking to your medication and treatment routine will help prevent most migraine despite external changes. Make sure you also keep up with attending medical appointments and updating your migraine diary.

2. Get treatment for allergies

The change in seasons can cause your allergies to flare, which can impact your migraine. Treating allergies helps prevent most symptoms and reduce migraine frequency.

3. Keep your house well lit 

If light doesn’t trigger your migraine, letting in as much natural light as possible throughout the day can improve serotonin production and reduce SAD symptoms. If natural light is not readily available, consider adding light boxes or a sun lamp to boost your mood and reduce migraine.

4. Go for regular walks during the daylight hours

Exercise is a great remedy for many conditions, and pairing your walk with natural sunlight can help balance your serotonin levels and stabilize your circadian rhythm to reduce migraine and depression symptoms.

5. Remind yourself that seasonal changes are temporary

It’s important to remember that these negative feelings and migraine pain are temporary. Like the seasons, these feelings and symptoms will pass, and you will move forward into spring or fall and begin experiencing life pain-free once again.

6. Talk to your doctor if you experience severe mood changes

If you notice that you are experiencing a severe mood change or having suicidal thoughts, you need to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Extreme mood changes could be a sign of a more serious issue and require immediate expert attention.

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