Migraine. If I have a headache, I’m unlikely to rush to book an appointment with a psychotherapist. But, if you think about it, maybe I should!

Headaches are often accompanied by internal, unresolved conflicts. I’ve noticed that resolving these conflicts can help alleviate headaches.

Migraine and Problems.

Interestingly, 70% of people experience recurring headaches, and around 10% suffer from chronic headaches.

In up to 90% of cases, headaches are not caused by organic ailments. The quality of life for people suffering from headaches is similar to those living with ischemia or diabetes.

The Nature of Migraine, Why Hurt?

Headache vary in nature. They can be throbbing, dull, or pressing. Psychosomatic explanations highlight symptoms such as acute/dull, pressing/throbbing pain.

Patients suffering from headaches often undergo various examinations, but the root issue often remains unresolved.

The origin of headaches lies in the receptors of spastic blood vessels or, more precisely, the receptors in the meninges.

The brain itself does not feel pain directly.

Pain receptors are located on the blood vessels that transport blood within the head. These receptors send signals to the brain, which interprets them as pain. Hence, headaches arise as a result of spasms.

Spasms as a Reflection of Trapped Emotions.

Spasms can be linked to intense emotions “trapped” within the skull. This state may serve as a reaction to conflict. Headaches are a typical psychosomatic symptom of responses to offense or poor treatment.

They can signify depression, particularly when accompanied by a sense of hopelessness.

Who Suffers from Headaches?

Usually, ambitious, goal-driven people prone to headaches suffer the most. These individuals often possess high intelligence and aim to improve their lives.

However, the relentless pursuit of success leaves little time for rest, and the body responds with a kind of defense mechanism in the form of headaches.

Headaches may also arise as a person’s social standing increases. Ambitions and a desire to dominate can lead to internal conflict for those prone to headaches. Such individuals often become perfectionists, leading to tension with the reality that success is hard to achieve.

Inability to relax manifests in poor health.

Migraines, a specific type of headache, often affect individuals who ignore sexual relationships, considering them a waste of time.

Such ascetic behavior becomes part of their personality. People suffering from migraines may harbor hostility and envy, particularly towards those who live more fulfilling lives.

They often strive for intellectual achievements, sacrificing other aspects of life, including sexual relationships. Individuals experiencing tension headaches tend to be highly educated and intellectually developed.

They aim to take on everything—responsibility and achievement. Such people are prone to anxiety and increased aggression. Cluster headaches, another type of headache, are associated with panic attacks and fear.

What Can Be Done?

Of course, medications can temporarily relieve the pain. However, the underlying cause, buried in the unconscious, remains, and similar situations will trigger the pain again.

A psychotherapist can help uncover and address these conflicts, providing possible solutions to the problem.

Emotional-figurative therapy can help eliminate psychosomatic headaches. This involves exploring and describing feelings without focusing on their cause, allowing the pain to subside over time.

Cooperation with a psychotherapist is key, requiring complete trust and open communication. The analytical method may also yield positive results for such headaches by identifying potential causes based on patient-provided information.

A body-oriented approach is also used to address physical strain. This method focuses on biological body sectors, dividing the spine into segments responsible for sensations and perceptions in specific body areas.

An Interesting Example of Headaches.

The brain has its “water supply” that washes the cortex and connects with the brain ventricles.

A swollen throat during acute respiratory infections exerts pressure on a narrow part of this “water supply” located above the upper cervical vertebra, just beneath the base of the skull.

This creates difficulty in fluid movement or the transport of metabolic byproducts. Vascular and membrane receptors signal this through pain. This results in migraines or sensations like throbbing “behind the eye” or a “tight band around the head.”

Relief can come from a specialist with practical experience performing simple manipulations, such as lightly covering the eye and temple areas with warm hands. This, combined with medication, provides relief.

Are There Many Patients Complaining of Headaches?

Quite a few. And it’s not just adults children also complain of headaches. School pressures, ubiquitous screens, and constant tension all contribute. It’s crucial to ensure children get proper relaxation not just synthetic vitamins, but opportunities to rest and sleep to relieve stress.

Who Experiences Headaches More Often, Men or Women?

Women visit doctors more frequently for headaches, often due to menstrual cycle changes or menopause. Women tend to address the problem sooner, while men often delay seeking help.

When a man finally visits a doctor for headaches, it usually signals a more serious issue requiring immediate attention.

Headaches are incredibly common, and while most are not signs of a serious problem, a man should visit a doctor if the headaches are frequent, severe, or accompanied by certain alarming symptoms.

The doctor will classify the headache into one of two categories.

• Primary Headaches: The headache is the main condition and is not caused by an underlying disease. Examples include tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. Cluster headaches are actually more common in men than women.
• Secondary Headaches: The headache is a symptom of an underlying medical condition, which can range from minor issues like sinus infections or dehydration to serious, life-threatening conditions.

 When to Seek Medical Attention.

 While mild, occasional tension headaches can often be managed with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers, you should see a doctor for a professional evaluation if you experience any of the following:

 Seek Immediate Emergency Care (Call 911 or your local emergency number).

 These symptoms could indicate a serious or life-threatening condition like a stroke, meningitis, or an aneurysm:

• Sudden, severe “Thunderclap” headache: This is the worst headache of your life and reaches its maximum intensity in under a minute.
• Headache accompanied by fever and a stiff neck.
• Headache with sudden neurological symptoms such as:
  • Confusion or trouble understanding speech.
  • Weakness, numbness, or paralysis on one side of the body.
  • Trouble seeing (double vision or sudden vision loss).
  • Trouble walking or loss of balance.
• Headache following a head injury.
• A headache with seizures or fainting.

 Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment.

 You should make an appointment with your primary care provider if:

• Your headaches are increasing in frequency (e.g., more than twice a week) or severity.
• The headaches are interfering with your daily life, causing you to miss work or affecting sleep.
• The headache is new or has a changed pattern if you’re over the age of 50.
• Your headache wakes you up from sleep.
• Painkillers are not helping the headaches, or you find yourself taking over-the-counter medication more than twice a week (which can lead to medication overuse headaches).
• The headache worsens when you cough, sneeze, or strain.
• You experience cluster headaches (severe pain behind one eye, often with tearing or congestion on that side).

 Potential Causes of Headaches in Men.

 Common headache triggers and causes that a doctor will investigate include:

• Lifestyle Factors: Stress, poor posture (especially from computer use), dehydration, changes in sleep, skipped meals, and alcohol/caffeine use or withdrawal.
• Musculoskeletal Issues: Muscle tightness in the neck, jaw, or shoulder (leading to tension headaches).
• Migraine: A neurological condition causing moderate to severe throbbing pain, often with nausea or sensitivity to light/sound.
• Cluster Headaches: Rare, extremely painful headaches often localized to one eye, which are more common in men.
• Secondary Conditions: High blood pressure (hypertension), sinus problems, or dental issues.

Your doctor will likely take a detailed medical history and perform a physical and neurological exam to determine the cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

Have a Great Day!