Can anxiety cause migraines?

Apr 10, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhu Gang
Introduction
Anxiety disorder can trigger migraines. Anxiety increases the excitability of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, leading to cerebral vasoconstriction. Excessive anxiety raises blood pressure, causing cerebral vasodilation and stimulating surrounding nerves to produce pain. When somatic symptoms of anxiety occur, they may affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems; once the nervous system is involved, migraines can result.

Generally, patients with anxiety disorder often experience migraines. It is recommended to actively treat and manage the condition under medical guidance to prevent symptom worsening. Specific analysis is as follows:

When suffering from anxiety disorder, increased excitability of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems may cause cerebral blood vessel constriction. Excessive anxiety can lead to elevated blood pressure, resulting in cerebral vasodilation, which may also stimulate surrounding nerves and trigger headaches. In addition, patients with anxiety disorder may develop somatic symptoms of anxiety, affecting multiple systems including the respiratory, urinary and reproductive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Once the nervous system is affected, migraines may occur, accompanied by symptoms such as skin flushing and excessive sweating.

After diagnosis of anxiety disorder, it is advisable to seek timely medical care and follow doctors' instructions for active treatment, which usually leads to effective recovery and restoration of normal daily activities and quality of life.