Q My migraines are severe, and I also have anxiety and depression. Are they related?
A Yes, migraine and anxiety/depression are comorbid conditions that share the serotonin pathway. Treating both together also improves migraine prevention.
Detailed Answer
People with migraine have a 2 to 3 times higher prevalence of depression and a 2 to 5 times higher prevalence of anxiety disorder than the general population, because neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine are commonly involved in both conditions. This is also why tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline have a migraine-preventive effect, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also effective for preventing chronic migraine.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang we connect the co-occurrence of migraine, anxiety, and depression to a flow in which stress blocks the Liver's energy and heat surges upward (Liver Qi Stagnation, Ascending Liver Yang). Rather than suppressing each separately with painkillers and tranquilizers, we ease both migraine and emotional unrest in a single flow with brain-clearing herbal medicine that draws down the risen heat and calms the mind, along with acupuncture at Baekhoe (GV20), Sinmun (HT7), and Naegwan (PC6). We also recommend 10 minutes of abdominal breathing a day.
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