Living with migraines is challenging. People who live with this chronic pain condition face numerous challenges in trying to negotiate everyday circumstances to enjoy a reasonable quality of life. However, there are things you can do to make their life easier for them.
Accept Their Symptoms
One of the challenges migraine sufferers face is people not believing in their symptoms. Migraineurs are frequently accused of faking or exaggerating their symptoms. It gets exhausting having to constantly defend the severity of their condition to employers, friends, family, and more.
You can alleviate some of this burden by just accepting their symptoms. If they tell you they need to cancel an event or need time alone, just let them be–no further explanation necessary.
Respect Their Privacy
There is such a thing as being too helpful. If people are suffering from migraines, the thing they most likely need from you is to be left alone, not be bombarded with all types of unsolicited help. If they express needs, be prepared to supply those needs, but don’t show up uninvited, and don’t give more help than is welcome.
In addition, there’s a difference between showing interest in their condition and prying. If people want to talk about their migraines, it’s good to listen. But it’s not good to ask too many invasive questions about the condition. Some people prefer to enjoy their migraine-free time not thinking about migraines.
Learn Triggers and Watch for Them
One of the big challenges of migraines is that there can be many different triggers that can set them off. People with migraines often learn their triggers and can be vigilant about them, but an extra set of eyes can help. If, for example, you notice someone spritzing perfume ahead, you can steer them clear. Or if you notice that a menu item they ordered contains a migraine trigger they might not have seen, you might mention it.
However, it’s also important to know that migraineurs might knowingly enjoy food or drink they know will likely give them a migraine. It’s a necessary tradeoff for people with migraines, and sometimes trying to live life to their fullest means accepting the occasional migraine.
Advocate for Them
As we noted above, people with migraines often have to defend their symptoms to friends, family, and employers. You can help lift some of this burden by being a supportive voice. Let others know that you believe in the migraine symptoms, and explain the severity of the condition.
Of course, you should only do this when your advocacy is welcome. Some people would rather be their own champion rather than have you take up their banner. Accept this request without offense or hard feelings–it doesn’t mean they don’t want your friendship, just that they prefer to be their own advocate.
Encourage Them to Seek and Stick to Treatment
Trying to find and stick to successful migraine treatment can be exhausting. Most people with migraines have tried many treatments, and even so, less than half are satisfied with their current treatment.
Provide support that helps migraineurs stick to effective migraine treatments. However, if they don’t have a successful migraine treatment, encourage them to keep looking. People respond to migraine treatments differently, so it’s important for people to keep trying different treatments until they find one that really works.
If you or someone you love is looking for a different approach to migraine treatment in River Edge, NJ, please call (201) 343-4044 today for an appointment with TMJ dentist Dr. Marlen Martirossian at the River Edge Dental Center for TMJ, Sleep, & Reconstructive Dentistry.
The post How to Support Friends and Family with Migraines appeared first on River Edge Dental.