The Importance of Managing Anger to Avoid Headaches

People suffering from frequent headaches or migraines tend to blame stress, anxiety or depression but the influence of another psychological factor is now increasingly obvious - anger. Several studies suggest that to avoid a headache, it is better to be zen.

Some headaches called chronic tension headaches are often linked to stress. Their treatment is mainly based on techniques of evacuation of tensions associated with antidepressants. However various studies emphasize the importance of managing anger in the onset of pain associated with these headaches, especially migraines.

Suppressing anger

The team of Dr. Robert Nicholson wanted to clarify the influence of anger on the frequency and occurrence of these pains. To update these problematic links, he studied 422 adults including 171 suffering from recurring headaches since an average of 8 years. Using standard questionnaires, participants were asked about their level of anger, anxiety and depression and their ability to control these symptoms. Thereafter, the data was correlated with the frequency and intensity of their headaches.

Results: Regardless of the level of anxiety, depression and anger, patients suffering from headache frequently kept their anger silent. This control (or inhibition) of tension is the best predictor of headaches from these 171 adults.

Attention, the scientists do not recommend you to explode at the slightest frustration! If you feel that you keep everything for yourself this could be the explanation for your pain so learn to manage better frustration. To help you get rid of anger in a more serene way, scientists suggest that you should identify risk situations and than focus on relaxation and breathing.

Managing emotions

Linked to vascular events, migraine is different from tension headaches as regards to the duration of pain (less extended), its unilateral nature, the pace following the pulse and signs of gastrointestinal upsets (nausea, vomiting).

Australian Study

An Australian study sought to assess the level of anger, depression and management of these events in 16 patients suffering from chronic tension headache, 28 migraine patients and 38 persons affected by headaches. The results show that migraine patients could manage less their emotions, while the victims of tension headaches have a higher level of anger and depression.

This study confirms the importance of direct anger and its management in the onset of headache while not being related to a real migraine.

Dreams are responsible for migraine

In some patients, migraine occurs in the morning. Whether these morning pains are not related to dreams which preceded it, U.S. researchers led a rather original study. Thirty-seven migraine patients each had 10 dreams, 5 preceding a migraine attack and followed by 5 non-headache attacks. The analysis of dream descriptions showed that four categories of emotions were possible triggers of dreams. Among these were misfortune, apprehension and aggressive anger!

While it appears difficult to control the content of these dreams, it can be assumed that by better management of your emotions you will benefit whether you're awake or not. Your doctor can help you find support facing anger or psychotherapy if needed. Once you control better your nerves your pain should decrease. So, to avoid having a headache, be zen!

Sources:

www.scienceblog.com