DID YOU KNOW?
ADHDers are more likely to experience headaches & migraines.
Most commonly, our headaches are caused by stress relating to dealing with our symptoms or meeting expectations.
Our headaches can also be linked to mood or anxiety disorders and our stimulant medications. (Aren't they supposed to make life easier?🤷♀️)
ADHD symptoms can often aggravate and worsen headaches. And in turn our headaches can worsen our ADHD symptoms with increased distractibility and irritability! It becomes a vicious cycle. Combining the two forces can lead to learning challenges & reduced productivity.
Maintaining consistent sleep patterns can be a challenge for many of us with ADHD. Disrupted sleep not only exacerbates ADHD symptoms but also contributes to headaches.
Individuals with ADHD often experience heightened sensitivity to stimuli, leading to sensory overload. Bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells can act as triggers for both headaches and ADHD symptoms. Identifying and managing these triggers can be a key component in reducing the frequency and intensity of headaches.
If you're an ADHDer experiencing headaches, consider the following tips...
TAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF! Even with all of the tools and strategies we could think of, we can't always control how our bodies will feel. Don't beat yourself up for not running at optimal productivity when your body isn't!
CONSIDER OVERSTIMULATION Lighting, smells, sound, etc. An excess of any stimulus can cause headaches.
SCREEN BREAKS We don't often stop to consider how long we spend in front of bright screens. Between computer work, our phones, and TV, we're exposing ourselves to a lot more light stimulation than we may think.
PROPER HYDRATION & MINDFUL EATING Artificial sweeteners, alcohol, & caffeine are also known culprits for exacerbating headaches.
CONSIDER HORMONES Stress, bodily changes, etc
MONITORING YOUR STIMULANT INTAKE Coffee, soda, stimulant medications, etc
SLEEP A simple disruption of our sleep patterns can trigger headaches or migraines. As ADHDers, it's not uncommon for us to lose track of time and stay up much later than intended.
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All the best,
Coach Brooke
