How to Survive Your Migraine Emotional Rollercoaster Ride.

June 30th, 2011 – Issue #004 – Emotional

Physical – Emotional – Intellectual – Social – Spiritual – Financial

Editors Note: I don’t know just how your migraines affect your life overall, but mine have caused an extreme emotional roller coaster. I hope the information on this in the website and here in the e-zine about the emotional impact with some tips to help you cope more effectively with the emotions like anger that come up before or around your migraine episodes result in finding not only a reduction in both the frequency and severity of your migraines but some inner peace of mind. There are so many things to consider and so little space, so let’s get started!

I experience extreme anger as one of my symptoms, or over the top irritation as an early warning signal. Now you might ask, how can you tell the difference between normal irritation and irritation before a migraine? I must say after almost 20 years it’s still very difficult. The one difference I do notice is that the anger or irritation that precedes a migraine episode feels like an adrenaline rush up my spine and I just can’t calm down at all. Normal irritation usually lasts a few minutes and then leaves my system or my awareness. So I guess I might explain it as feeling hyperactive for much longer....then I know a migraine is coming.

My husband pointed this out to me some years ago, when he said “you must be getting a migraine, there’s that anger again”. When I asked him about it, he said it was just out of character for me and that was something he noticed. Thank God for that, now I can see it too.

The other thing I needed to learn was to set up some boundaries for myself and those around me. I struggle with that word boundaries and understanding what that means, so here are some basic examples:

Please click on the link underlined for more on boundaries and anger management.

Here are 8 ideas for setting boundaries: (please see the website for more examples and information).

1. No.

2. No thank you.

3. I am not sure about that, can I get back to you?

4. I’d rather not talk about that right now.

5. I can help you with X, but I can’t help you with XYZ.

6. I hear what you are saying, but I see it a little differently, and that’s ok.

7. I will need you to get back to me by (name a deadline).

8. And an oldie but a goodie – I felt X, when you said Y. Or – I felt X, when you did Y.

These are really basic, but migraineurs are kind of stereotyped into a box that says we are “yes” men and women. That’s not bad – we just want to keep the peace and please others. It’s time to be honest and ask for what we need at that time whilst still being considerate of others.

Do you have a question you’d like to ask the editor on this topic? If so please click here to Contact Me. I will respond as soon as possible.

This is a safe forum to express your troubles – tell your story – show your art - find solutions with new ideas - and get professional health advice . Just click on the links underlined above if you would like to contribute.

Remember that your contribution will help others too! We are not in this alone, even though it feels like it most of the time. Our stories and input can help each other.

My Question to You

What have you done that has turned out to be the best thing to help you cope with the impact of migraines in your life emotionally? We’d love to hear from you. Click here to tell us.

I have a question your migraine

The narrative approach of therapy has some interesting questions to ask the part of you that has migraines. One of them is “what purpose are you serving for (name)?” A common response might be .....

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And before I forget!

Please send this to your friends and family. It’s time to spread the word about Migraines and educate our loved ones! They can click on this link to subscribe as well.

Talk to you next month, until then, I wish you many Migraine FREE days.