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Living with migraine can be exhausting. And for many people, it’s not just about head pain.
Depression is also common among people with migraine, and the two conditions often overlap in ways that can affect your daily life, treatment, and overall well-being.
“I need help to deal with my condition. I don’t mean with medicines — I mean how to deal with depression and how to cope with it every day,” one member on MyMigraineTeam wrote.
Understanding the connection between migraine and depression can help you recognize symptoms, seek support, and find better ways to manage both conditions.
Depression is more than just feeling sad. It’s a medical condition that affects mood, thinking, and daily functioning.
Common symptoms of depression include:
To receive a formal diagnosis, depression symptoms usually need to last at least two weeks. A healthcare provider will first need to rule out other behavioral or medical conditions that have similar symptoms.
Depression can range from mild to moderate to severe. It’s treatable, but many people may not realize they have it, especially if they already have physical conditions like migraine.
Depression is one of the most common conditions that occurs alongside migraine.
In fact, one study found that people with migraine are about 2.5 times more likely to develop depression than the general population.
According to the American Migraine Foundation, around 20 percent of people with episodic migraine (14 or fewer migraine headaches per month) experience depression.
For those with chronic migraine, the rate rises to between 30 percent and 50 percent. Chronic migraine means having headaches on 15 or more days per month for more than three months, with migraine symptoms on at least eight of those days.
When two health conditions, such as migraine and depression, happen at the same time, it’s known as a comorbidity.
According to research, the relationship between migraine and depression goes both ways, meaning that it’s a bidirectional relationship.
Having migraine may increase the risk of developing depression. At the same time, depression may increase your chance of developing migraine.
This doesn’t mean that having one condition always causes the other. Instead, it suggests that the two conditions could be connected through shared factors in the brain and body.
Depression may make migraine attacks more frequent, more severe, or harder to manage. On the other hand, migraine can raise stress levels and make depression symptoms worse. This cycle can make both conditions more challenging to treat.
There’s no single cause for why migraine and depression happen together. Instead, scientists believe several shared biological, psychological, and lifestyle factors may play a role.
The brain uses chemical messengers called neurotransmitters to send signals throughout the body.
Two neurotransmitters in particular, called serotonin and dopamine, play key roles in regulating mood and pain signals. When these systems don’t work properly, it may increase the risk of migraine and depression.
Research shows that migraine and depression may both involve changes in brain structure and activity, which may also help explain why the two conditions often happen together.
Brain imaging studies, such as MRI, have found possible differences in brain structure and activity in people with migraine and depression. However, researchers are still learning what these differences mean and whether they play a direct role in either condition.
Both migraine and depression can run in families, which means genes may play a role. If someone in your family has one of the conditions, you may be at a higher risk of developing it yourself.
Certain genetic variations appear to influence both conditions, which could suggest that shared genes may partly explain why the conditions often occur together.
Hormones play an important role in both migraine and depression, especially in women. Changes in hormone levels can trigger a migraine attack for some. They can also affect mood and emotional health.
Estrogen is a key hormone in both conditions, and shifts in estrogen levels, particularly during menstrual periods, pregnancy, and menopause, may explain why women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression or migraine.
Stress is a major factor in both migraine and depression, as it can trigger migraine attacks and worsen or even lead to depression.
Some people may also be more prone to developing both conditions due to overlapping risk factors. The following risk factors increase the chances of both migraine and depression:
With so many overlapping risk factors, it’s no surprise that migraine and depression can create a challenging cycle that impacts nearly every aspect of daily life.
When migraine and depression happen together, they can make each other worse.
Living with severe or frequent migraine attacks can limit daily activities and reduce quality of life. These challenges may increase the risk of depression over time.
Depression can also make migraine attacks worse and contribute to triggers, such as poor sleep.
Depression can also affect how well a migraine is managed. People with depression may find it harder to stick to treatment plans, as low motivation can affect medication use.
Because migraine and depression can worsen each other, identifying both conditions early is key to breaking the cycle.
If you have symptoms of migraine and depression, healthcare providers may evaluate you for both conditions. A diagnosis for both migraine and depression usually starts by reviewing your medical history and symptoms.
To diagnose depression, a healthcare provider may look for signs of low mood or loss of interest that have affected you for at least two weeks, often through questionnaires or clinical interviews. They may want to rule out other medical conditions or substance misuse as well.
For migraine specifically, your doctor or a neurologist will typically conduct a neurological or physical exam, too. In some cases, they may need to use brain imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan.
Your doctor will take both conditions into account when developing a tailored treatment plan.
This may include medications, like antidepressants or preventive migraine medications. People who take SSRIs or SNRIs for depression may still be able to take triptans for migraine attacks. The risk of serotonin syndrome is rare.
Preventive options may include CGRP-targeting treatments. These medicines aren’t usually avoided just because someone has depression or suicidal thoughts.
However, some migraine-preventive medicines, especially certain anti-seizure medicines, may require extra caution in people with depression.
Nondrug options, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), stress management, or relaxation techniques, may also help.
Certain lifestyle changes can also be beneficial for those living with depression or migraine, as they can reduce triggers and improve overall well-being. These may include:
It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider if you experience:
If you have thoughts of suicide, thoughts of harming yourself, or feel unsafe, seek emergency help right away. In the United States, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
You may also want to talk to your doctor if you feel like your migraine treatments aren’t working or if managing your condition feels overwhelming.
Managing migraine and depression at the same time isn’t easy, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. These two conditions are closely connected, so treating them together is often the most effective approach.
If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of both migraine and depression, talking to a healthcare provider is a good first step. With the right combination of medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments, many people can find relief and regain a better quality of life.
Understanding the link between these conditions is a powerful tool, and the more informed you are, the better equipped you’ll be to advocate for your own care.
On MyMigraineTeam, people share their experiences with migraine, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
What helps you manage symptoms of migraine and depression? Let others know in the comments below.
Are your headaches a symptom of migraine? Get a quick assessment.
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I can relate now I am migraine and neck pain and depression all at the same time. I take meds and sleep and sometimes watch tv movies like Disney music or movies
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