The Migraine Trust launch new report for Migraine Awareness Week

image shows woman looking into camera. Text reads, Migraine is a severe and painful long term health condition that 1 in 7 people live with

Monday 23 September is the start of Migraine Awareness Week and The Migraine Trust is launching its latest report looking at the experience of living with migraine. 

Migraine hurts in many ways beyond the physical pain - The Migraine Trust

The Migraine Trust surveyed 2,028 people with the condition and found high numbers report not being believed or taken seriously, including in employment and when accessing healthcare. Some of their findings include:

  • 90% of people with the condition believe most people think migraine is just a bad headache
  • 89% say their mental health has been affected as a result of the condition with 55% saying the impact is significant
  • 34% said they have thoughts of suicide due to their migraine
  • As a result of their migraine 80% participate less in social occasions, 59% have lost confidence and 48% feel isolated
  • Impact on work is significant. 49% say migraine has a negative impact on ability to work and 27% say it has caused significant financial difficulties 

Despite so many people experiencing migraine, the condition is poorly understood. A key theme throughout the research was migraine being dismissed or invalidated, with many respondents referring to migraine being mischaracterised as ‘just a headache’.

The Migraine Trust have launched a new film highlighting the many ways in which migraine can hurt: https://youtu.be/L83GgxyPiWU

Their campaign for Migraine Awareness Week will also see advertisements displayed in over 200 train stations across the UK. 

You can read their full report here: From physical pain to mental health effects and the pain of being misunderstood: exploring the impact of migraine.

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