Managing attention deficit disorder has its own set of challenges. There are symptoms of this brain disorder. Poor organizational skills are experienced by some people.

While these are the most common ADHD symptoms, there’s also a link between ADHD and migraine attacks.

Here is a look at why these conditions sometimes occur together.

A migraine isn’t a typical everyday headache. It’s an intense, throbbing pain that can last for a period of time. Some people have migraine attacks that last for hours, whereas others have them for days.

You might have a few migraines within a week or month.

Along with throbbing, intense pain, migraine attacks can cause Other symptoms. too. Nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity can occur. In addition, you might have an aura, which is a type of visual disturbance.

“Even though anyone can have a migraine, research shows it’s associated with attention deficit disorder. The connection increases with age.”

According to one 2011 study, about a third of women with ADHD also experience migraine attacks, compared with 22.5 percent of men.

The link between the two conditions is not fully understood. More research is needed to determine if genetics, environment, or both play a role.

Women with attention deficit disorder are more likely to have migraines.

Language matters

Most of the studies used in this article do not differentiate between sex and gender, and can be assumed to have mostly cisgender participants.

While research on ADHD within the transgender community is new, recent surveys state that trans people are significantly more likely to report an ADHD diagnosis. A 2018 study in Australia reports that ADHD is four times more common among trans people than cisgender people.

In a 2021 review of the current studies on transgender and gender-diverse people with migraine symptoms, researchers found no conclusive data and call for more studies to be done. However, they explain that people in a “sexual minority” have compounding risk factors for migraine attacks, such as anxiety, depression, and hormone fluctuation.

While an ADHD diagnosis increases the likelihood of experiencing migraine attacks, this type of headache is not a typical symptom of ADHD, according to diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

Typical symptoms include inattentiveness and hyperactivity. Some people with ADHD have mood disorders like anxiety or depression.

Interestingly, migraine attacks can sometimes co-occur with conditions like anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. This could possibly explain why some people with ADHD also have migraine attacks.

Stimulants are a common type of medication used to treat ADHD in children and adults. These drugs can help manage symptoms like hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and a short attention span.

Stimulants increase dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a brain chemical that affects many aspects of life. Some people experience headaches after starting the medication for attention deficit disorder.

These headaches are usually mild and not attacks of the migraine.

Migraine is a serious neurological disorder accompanied by one or more symptoms. Headaches that occur after starting a new treatment are not neurological and often improve as the body adjusts to the medication.

“Sometimes, though, the effects of medication on the brain can be a cause of headaches. If you don’t eat or drink, a lack of calories could cause a migraine episode.”

Does ADHD medication help with migraine episodes?

According to other research, ADHD There are medications. might help improve migraine attacks. Some people experience migraine attacks from a drop in dopamine release. Since stimulants used to treat ADHD increase dopamine levels in the brain, these There are medications. could possibly treat migraine attacks.

ADHD and migraine attacks don’t only affect adults. Children with ADHD can also have migraine attacks. These episodes can lead to behavioral problems, according to 2021 research.

Children with migraines can show signs of increased irritability and can be easily distracted. Learning challenges can be caused by Migraine attacks. They might not complete their assignments and miss school days.

Therefore, it’s extremely important that children receive an early diagnosis and get help for their migraine symptoms.

Even though migraine attacks can co-occur with ADHD, the exact trigger can differ from person to person. So, you’ll need to understand the conditions that cause your migraine attacks, and then take preventive measures.

Keeping a migraine journal might help. This involves identifying patterns and narrowing down specific triggers. You’ll include information such as:

  • The day of the week is included in the date of a migraine attack.
  • It was severity.
  • Other symptoms.
  • anything else that might be helpful (e.g., did you exercise that day? How much did you sleep? What did you eat? Did you take a new medication?)

Migraine triggers can include the following:

Once you know what triggers your migraine attacks, a doctor will be able to create the treatment plan that’s right for you. This may include:

There are two conditions with their own challenges. Migraine can cause a throbbing, intense headaches, whereas ADHD can cause symptoms like impulsiveness and difficulty with focus.

Migraine attacks are a symptom of ADHD, but they occur together. You will need to work with a doctor to identify your unique triggers and best treatment if the link is fully understood.