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Migraine not only affects the sufferer, but the spouse also carries much of the burden associated with their partner's migraine attack:
- The spouse may need to leave work early or change plans in order to:
- take care of the children
- pick up medications
- take the migraine sufferer to the doctor's office
Household chores are not done or are done by other family members
Social commitments are cancelled
Changes in partnership roles are seen (sexual relationships, care-giving roles)
Emotional tolls fall on the family (spouse worries, children stressed)
Decreased income of migraine sufferer The children of migraine sufferers feel the impact of a parent with migraine because their daily routine is changed. For example, school activities may be postponed, the parent may not attend sporting activities, and social engagements may be cancelled. For some children, this can lead to disappointment, discouragement, anger, a sense of hopelessness, or a feeling of being neglected.
Impact on Friends and Work
The friends of migraine sufferers also may be burdened. Friends will help fulfill some of the activities and commitments that the migraine sufferer cannot keep. For example, friends may drive the sufferer's children to activities, entertain or watch the children if the spouse is at work, or help relieve some of the household chores such as cooking a meal.
When a migraine headache begins, often the sufferer cannot go to work, cannot stay at work, or is not effective at work. Consequently, their job responsibilities are not done. The resulting long-term consequences may be extensive and have ramifications beyond delayed or lost work from a single employee.
- Productivity
Migraine sufferers often stay at work even though they have a migraine attack because they fear the stigma of having to leave work "because of a headache." While at work, their migraine may cause nausea and severe pain. For many migraine sufferers, this decreases their productivity.
- Employers
Work that is not done efficiently and timely becomes costly to the employer. Timelines are missed, or the quality of the work is less than expected or required.
- Colleagues
Others at work may absorb or take on some of the job responsibilities from the migraine sufferer who could not do the work or was unable to come to work. Some employers and health care providers (such as insurance companies) offer special medical and educational programs for migraine sufferers and their families.
Gaining control of migraine attacks and maintaining long-term control will benefit the sufferer, their families, and their employers. Migraine sufferers should check with their health care officers at work to learn about educational and medical programs available at the work site or in the community.
Reprinted from the web site of the American Council for Headache Education (www.achenet.org)
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