Tension or anxiety or overthinking headaches

[guitaristepiphone]

Hi! I have been struggling with these tension (anxiety or overthinking) headaches also. Paracetamol, flunarizine, inderal none of them seem to work. Only benzos work but cannot take them as you know. The more I overthink the more I get headache. Meditation and distracting seems to work but all are temporary. Thoughts?

[CLB1125]

I wish I knew the answer to that! All I do is use an ice pack on the back of my neck . It helps for awhile. I’ve started taking a once a month shot called Emgality for my migraines. They have helped lots but doesn’t seem to help the muscle related headaches. Maybe massage might help. Overthinking is the pits. I haven’t found a way to stop it myself. Have you tried journaling about what’s bothering you? Maybe writing it down will help to not think about it as much??

[guitaristepiphone in reply to CLB1125]

I haven't tried journalling as I am too much lazy to write it down and sometimes I even cannot remember what I did during the day. Meditation helps me but only for a bit. Only relaxing helps I guess. Flunarizine does't work, propranolol doesn't work, paracetamol doesn't work :(. All is the overthinking problem. But getting here and there and getting better I guess. I am only 19.😭

[Agora1]

Hi Shubh2003, I lived for years with daily headaches. Every single day I would get

a Muscle Contraction Headache, everyday. Only interrupted by Migraines at that

time of month. An Ice Pak wrapped around my head didn't do much. At that time,

Darvocet and Xanax and a cup of Coffee did the trick, that is for the MIgraines.

As for the tension headaches, that took Physical therapy to work on the trigger

points in my neck, shoulders and base of my head.

Listening to Relaxation Meditation helped me relax enough for the medication

to work.

It was a bad time in my life. I missed so many family events and occasions.

Once I started using daily meditation and breathing before bed and upon

awakening, I started gaining back control of my life. That as well a therapy

that also helped in gaining more tools and methods.

Finally, I tried Acupuncture which did wonders for me.

Also was trained in Self-Hypnosis which I still use everyday.

It was quite a long journey but I haven't had a headache for years now.

I wish you my best and hope you find a solution as well. xx

[guitaristepiphone in reply to Agora1]

Yes, benzos work but I have addiction potential so I cannot take them. Meditation helps me but doesn't cure me completely. But I don't do it strictly regularly also so cannot blame it. I'll try the other things you said accupuncture. Idk much about self-hypnosis. Thank you for helping! Agora1

[CLB1125 in reply to Agora1]

Self hypnosis? Sounds interesting. Headaches are my closest friends 🙄. I now use the once a month Emgality shot and rizatriptan for break through headaches. I have migraines, tension and occipital headaches and last but not least, ice pick headaches.

[guitaristepiphone in reply to CLB1125]

Headaches are closest friends for me too but my closest of them all is anxiety and depression and overthinking are :(.

[Agora1 in reply to CLB1125]

CLB, I had all the headaches you described. Many times on the floor, pulling at my hair.

They didn't have the shots then. I understood that the daily headaches were anxiety

prone but the monthly migraines were hormonal which doctors didn't believe at that

time. (both Gynie & Neurologist) Don't give up, new things on the market that will

help you in not losing days at a time suffering endlessly. My best xx

[guitaristepiphone in reply to Agora1]

Agora1 What about me? I am a boy then does that make my headaches different? Are they anxiety and overthinking headaches or migranes? I visited ENT specialist doctor today they said it is muscular headache and gave me aceclofenac and thiocalchicoside combination medicine but just for SOS. When it is emergency then only.😬

[Agora1 in reply to guitaristepiphone]

Hi Shubh2003, Unfortunately I can only speak from my own experiences.

But I will say that Muscular Contraction Headaches can happen to anyone since

we are all human and react to our emotions similarly. Life is stressful and headaches

do not differentiate between male or female Even children can get migraine

headaches that manifest as stomach aches. (my daughter suffered from these)

Whether these are labeled Contraction Headaches or Migraines, the pain is very

real and can be horrendous. Working on relaxing the body can help reduce the

pain level from either. Anxiety & Overthinking puts the body in a fight or flight

response. There is a thin line between Migraines and Contraction Headaches.

Sounds like your ENT specialist has your best interest at heart. xx

[guitaristepiphone in reply to Agora1]

Thank you Agora1 !! Yes I get stomach aches too with headaches and nausea and all. Got it, thank you!😊

[CLB1125]

over- thinking!! Every single thing I do! I told my husband it’s exhausting. I can’t just say yes or no. He gets infuriated with me. It ends up in an argument every time. When he asks where do you want to eat and I say I don’t care..literally I don’t care. It’s just to exhausting for me to decide. But no, he has to keep on and on with it until I'm ticked off and eating out just became a tortuous event. He just doesn’t get it or he likes to make me miserable!!

[guitaristepiphone in reply to CLB1125]

I get you. This happens to me in all case scenarios. Somebody or my family ask question and I overthink and they say what are you thinking? I cannot speak anything out. Sometimes I do talk out with some old friends and when I say some barely 1 to 2. Many times I overthink for hours and days while lying in bed........ I am getting better though then before. At least found you like me!! Not alone!