Is there some actual connection to migraines and dissociative symptoms (depersonalization, confusion) etc.?

[Rob2008]

Question, To the doctor...
I have noticed one of the lesser known associations with migraines is that of becoming anxious, confused, and with dissociative symptoms such as derealization or depersonalization.     And that these symptoms may be confused for something else, even a severe psychiatric disorder,  as the usual pain with migraine is often "silent".      Have you heard of this,   and is there any theory as to the actual mechanism that makes sufferers feel like this... is it some temporary chemical imbalance,  or inflammation of certain nerve pathways.  ??

[Deelove4025]

Hello Im suffering a lot from constant severe depersonalization /head pain need help

[Jojojo17]

Hello. I have suffered from migraines in the past but once I have got depersonalization, they stopped. Is my depersonalization causes by my migraines, because I have never had any traumatic events in my life. At least I think so.

[Rubyblu89]

So I actually just experienced this, and still am as I write this. I got an ocular migraine about 45 minutes ago. Mine are always with "flashing lights" and the typical "C" shape with a zig-zag pattern, the episode lasts around 20 minutes. Well, usually I get anxious when I see the flashing lights, and I generally attribute the disassociative sensations to some sort of anxiety. This time was different, though. I've been doing a lot of meditating and when I saw the flashing lights, I was able to stay calm and not feel anxious at all. In fact, I even went grocery shopping while it was happening. When I got home, however, I noticed that I started feeling weird. I was texting my friend and my fingers felt like they weren't mine, my bodily sensations felt very very strange. From the awareness developed through my meditation practice, I could tell that something was wrong with my nervous system. That's when I started doing research on the internet about it. It's definitely real, and it's super bizarre!

[Shansings2]

How long does this usually last? This is all new for me and feels very strange. My migraine with aura was last Wednesday and I am still feeling very strange. My pulse has been very high, and my whole body has been tingly, even when I am laying down. I am also feeling pressure on the top of my left cheek. My Dr.is trying to tell me it's anxiety!

[marileew]

o.O

what?? ugggh. my brother caught me writing a reply to this and helped me rewrite it because originally my response had be quite... colourful. as a migraine sufferer, nothing sets me off like someone, especially a doctor, chucking neurological symptoms up to something like anxiety. thankfully, he took the brute of my crying and angry explanation of how much that hurt ... but, seriously, reading something like that feels like a Personal Insult.

Dissociative symptoms are Neurological Symptoms. Migraines are a Neurological Disorder. Another neurological disorder with dissociative symptoms that most people are familiar with is the neurological disorder epilepsy. During or after an epileptic attack, patients often suffer from both dissociative and depersonalization symptoms, for Neurological Reasons. Not because of Anything to do with anxiety. It has nothing to do with "panic" or "anxiety". It is not mood related.

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Rob2008, There are some very interesting journal articles about dissociative symptoms in neurological disorders such as epilepsy and migraines that you can find in medical journals. If you have access to a university library account, you can usually access such journals free of charge. I would suggest including the term epilepsy and related terms (elliptic, etc.) along with the term migraines (and related terms) with the joining search term "AND" in your searches if you are having trouble finding information when you search just for information on dissociative symptoms in migraines alone... it will probably increase your chances of finding what you are looking for. If you are interested, let me know, and I could send you some links as long as you do have access to academic journal databases.

There is some evidence to show that there is disturbance in the occipital and temporal lobes during a migraine/epileptic attack that causes some of these symptoms.

In addition, the nausea and dizziness that migraine patients suffer can cause feelings of derealization.

There is also the slight possibility that if such symptoms were not felt prior to treatment, that it can sometimes be a side-effect of migraine medications such as triptans, opiates or psychoactives that are often used to treat migraines. Although, this usually is not the case... but, a patient will be able to figure this out through keeping a migraine diary, which all migraine patients should do. The ultimate goal of treatment is to restore full function, and so symptoms of confusion/dissociation/depersonalization are obviously not ideal and if such side-effects are identified because of treatment then switching medications should be discussed with your health care providers. (Even in the case of treatment with psychoactives, as the accepted medical doses should not usually cause such systems.)

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for posting.
Patients with migraines are known to suffer from anxiety and depersonalization is a symptom of anxiety or panic attacks. Dissociative symptoms are thus a part of symptoms of migraine and are often complained by migraineurs.

Thanks

[marileew]

Hi there, just so you know, there is also a "doctors" section of this site you might want to post your question in as well. But, there is a doctor who posts regularly in the community forum (here) so you will probably get a reply to this post from them very soon.

And... although your question wasn't directed to the community members... I'm going to go ahead and comment on your question anyway ;) I get migraines with a lot of the symptoms you mentioned. And, I know a few of the other community members here do as well.