Contents
Hello! Psychogenic headache occurs with severe or chronic stress, depression, and in general, if a person is often in a state of tension due to various circumstances.
And today we will find out how it is diagnosed, distinguished from ordinary migraine, because this is sometimes not easy to do. And also, of course, what are the methods of treatment.
Do the senses govern the body?
The psyche controls our body, and literally every second. Despite the fact that the body is the most complex mechanism created by nature, it is influenced by thoughts, feelings and desires.
Each emotion is accompanied by a certain physiological process, thanks to which, in principle, we are sometimes aware of what is happening to us.
For example, when fear arises, the heartbeat invariably quickens, when calmness, then vice versa, the muscles relax, breathing slows down and the pulse becomes even and stable.
So, with anger, anxiety, anger and irritation, there is an outflow of blood from the area of uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe internal organs. After that, it rushes to the head, and this just provokes a migraine attack.
Therefore, psychogenic headache is one of the main symptoms of depression. Which often occurs due to the retention of negative emotions.
Symptoms
Revealing that a headache is psychogenic, as already mentioned, is not easy, but it is quite possible. Diagnosis is usually carried out in the form of a conversation with the patient.
He describes his feelings, and then the specialist is guided by what additional tests he still needs to pass in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
Basically, it is characterized as weak or moderate, sometimes it is bilateral and squeezing, as if a hoop was put on the head, which is slowly twisted.
It does not pulsate, but steadily presses in the area of the temples, sometimes not even reacting to medications.
Moments can subside, but always present in the background.
The severity does not depend on physical activity, often it appears immediately after waking up, or at the end of the working day, signaling overwork.
Especially often makes itself felt after emotional upheavals. When a person had to endure irritation, withstand tension.
Often accompanied by nausea and even vomiting. The patient loses his appetite and is sometimes unable to drink water, so it immediately leaves the body.
Treatment
Switching attention
If a person strives to notice the positive aspects of his life, not concentrating only on the troubles, this will gradually reduce the severity and frequency of manifestation of pain.
Often the symptoms subside under the influence of pleasant emotions. Joy and happiness, apparently, heal not only the soul, but also the body.
It is enough to remember what activities give pleasure, relax and inspire new achievements. Perhaps someone has not allowed himself to craft from wood or knit for a long time, due to the lack of a free minute.
From which, of course, all free time was devoted to those processes that are necessary, but not at all desirable. What kind of joy of life then can we talk about?
Medicines
Often, specialists prescribe antidepressants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. They help to normalize the emotional state of the patient and relax the nervous system.
It is not recommended to take such drugs on your own, as this can aggravate an already difficult condition. Yes, and they are released only on prescription, which is prescribed by a doctor, focusing on well-being and health status.
Dosages also differ, some are prescribed medications for the prevention of migraine, and some directly as a treatment.
Seek advice for qualified assistance.
Psychotherapy
Psychogenic headache often occurs as a reaction to some event. Here, a person does not know how to constructively cope with stress, and every time he finds out unpleasant news, he simply falls into a disease.
So to speak, he reacts with his body, not knowing how to directly express anger and other unpleasant feelings.
Therefore, it is important to explore yourself, look for your limitations and other ways to realize desires, plans, goals.
That is, to learn to build relationships with the world in a different way, so as not to harm one’s own health, copying the behavior of parents or using favorite children’s methods.
Maturity and awareness are the key to peace of mind and well-being without pain of a psychogenic nature.
Excitement of the symptom
Try to imagine that your migraine is sitting next to you in a chair, and you can ask her any questions to understand why she is tormenting you.
It happens that the body thus takes care of its owner, «turning off» that for a couple of days from an active social life. This happens among workaholics who do not care about their rest at all. They work even on weekends, and only illness can make them spend the day in bed.
Therefore, to begin with, carefully examine your pain. How does she look at you? What feelings arise when you begin to notice her and be interested in her, and not just angry and wishing that she would disappear as soon as possible?
Ask questions about when she comes to you and for what purpose. What exactly does he want from you and what needs to be done so that you feel cheerful and healthy as often as possible.
Art therapy
You can try to depict the symptom on paper. Visualize it and draw it. Then take a close look at your creation. What feelings does it evoke in you? What do you want to do with the drawing itself?
Someone will have a desire to put this image in a frame, so as not to forget what will inevitably follow if you ignore the need for rest and good sleep. Or vice versa, break it into small pieces, expressing all the anger that «sits» inside.
You may want to put the drawing in an album in order to compare it with a new one after a certain period of time.
Completion
And that’s all for today, dear readers! About why psychogenic pain occurs at all, and what types there are, you will learn from this article.
Take care of yourself, and, of course, be happy!
The material was prepared by a psychologist, Gestalt therapist, Zhuravina Alina