The Link Between PTSD and Headaches

Matthew Tull, PhD

Medically reviewed by

Steven Gans, MD

Updated on January 03, 2020

Few people talk about it, but there is a reason to believe that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and headaches frequently co-occur. Even though headaches have received much less attention among mental health professionals than other problems in PTSD, the connection between PTSD and headaches makes sense. If you have PTSD, you are at a higher risk of developing a number of different physical health problems, such asdiabetes, obesity, heart disease, andpain. When it comes to pain in particular, for example, 20 to 30 percent of people with PTSD have been found to report problems with pain.

When it comes to headaches, patients with migraine or tension headaches report high rates of exposure to traumatic events. In addition, about 17% have symptoms consistent with a PTSD diagnosis.

Another study found that 32 percent of OEF/OIF veterans with PTSD say that they have problems with headaches.

The Connection Between PTSD and Headaches

It is not entirely clear why people with PTSD may be more likely to experience problems with headaches. However,stresshas been linked to the occurrence of headaches, and the symptoms of PTSD can definitely contribute to very high levels of stress and emotional strain. In addition, headache patients tend to have more stressful events in their daily lives.

PTSD can significantly interfere with many aspects of a person’s life, including work and relationships. This fact likely causes more stress, increasing the likelihood of headaches.

In some cases, the type of traumatic event a person with PTSD has experienced may increase the likelihood of headaches. For example, if you were in an accident or situation where you experienced a head injury or a traumatic brain injury, you may be more likely to experience problems with headaches. In fact, OEF/OIF veterans are exhibiting high rates of traumatic brain injuries, which may account for the number of headaches reported by OEF/OIF veterans with PTSD.

How to Manage Headaches

If you have PTSD and are experiencing significant problems with headaches, it is important to visit with a doctor to discuss what your options are in terms of treatment. You can learn more about the different types of headaches, how they are diagnosed, and options for treatment.

Given that high levels of stress are associated with headaches, it can also be important to put into action coping skills focused on reducing stress. There are several effective and healthycoping strategiesfor reducing stress if you have PTSD. Not only may these coping strategies help with their headaches, but they can also help minimize other stress-related problems, such as anxiety and depression.