High-functioning migraine

I’ve seen a few articles recently on high-functioning anxiety – a term that refers to people who live with anxiety but identify as functioning reasonably well. People with high-functioning anxiety can appear to be successful, together and calm, and generally excelling at work and life. But on the inside, they can feel nervous, worry, over-think things, ruminate on the negative, have difficulty saying now, have a racing mind and insomnia. (Hmm, actually, I think a lot of us with migraine may relate to having high-functioning anxiety as well…)

Anyway, this got me thinking that it’s time to coin the phrase “high-functioning migraine” because I get a sense that many of us live with migraine but hide it well.

Studies indicate that as many as 62 per cent of people experiencing a migraine episode downplay their symptoms in front of schoolmates or co-workers. In addition, we tend to overdo work, family or social obligations due to a fear of others questioning our capabilities or becoming overly concerned.

Often, we can downplay how we are feeling because we have come to realise that many others don’t understand that migraine attacks are different from other types of headaches or will just us unfairly for not feeling our best.

We can become very proficient actors!

I’ve created a guide that you can give to others to help them understand migraine, and how they can support you. Download it here.