Impact of headaches on a person

Headache disorders are quite misunderstood and underestimated by people who do not suffer with them. Headache attacks are painful and they can cause victims to miss valuable time from their lives and rob them of the freedom to make plans.

Productivity goes down. Many migraine sufferers will note a 50% reduction of their capability up to 6 days of each month. About half will miss 2 days of work or school per month because of headaches.

Social events become a chore, many family activities are missed. Some people become socially isolated or overuse potentially harmful medications, including common over the counter medications like aspirin and acetaminophen. People are afraid to make plans because they are afraid a headache will attack and they will be embarassed.

Many headache patients are hesitant to seek help because of fear that they will not be taken seriously by their coworkers, spouse or even their physician. The headache patient must be an aggressive consumer.

If you are dealing with someone who is not taking your suffering seriously, print out this page and give it to them.

-Return to the rights of the headache person

© Edmund Messina MD 1997