{"id":7850,"date":"2016-09-08T06:54:46","date_gmt":"2016-09-08T06:54:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/2016\/09\/08\/tackling-migraine-stigma-misconceptions-migraine-awareness-week\/"},"modified":"2023-02-21T11:28:06","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T11:28:06","slug":"tackling-migraine-stigma-misconceptions-migraine-awareness-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/tackling-migraine-stigma-misconceptions-migraine-awareness-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Tackling Migraine Stigma and Misconceptions: Migraine Awareness Week"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"7850\" class=\"elementor elementor-7850\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3ed9850e elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3ed9850e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-193a1566\" data-id=\"193a1566\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b69af3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b69af3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-featured-image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Tackling-Migraine-Stigma-scaled-e1676978751301-1024x577.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-16169\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Tackling-Migraine-Stigma-scaled-e1676978751301-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Tackling-Migraine-Stigma-scaled-e1676978751301-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Tackling-Migraine-Stigma-scaled-e1676978751301-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Tackling-Migraine-Stigma-scaled-e1676978751301-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Tackling-Migraine-Stigma-scaled-e1676978751301-2048x1154.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3153a270 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3153a270\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>This week it\u2019s <a href=\"\\&quot;http:\/\/www.migraine.org.uk\/get-involved\/migraine-awareness-week\/\\&quot;\">Migraine Awareness Week<\/a> and we have been looking into the problems, pain and stigmatisation that accompanies this often misunderstood illness. There are more migraines sufferers than people who live with diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined in the UK, costing the economy an estimated \u00a32.25 billion a year. With over six million people experiencing migraines and 25 million working days lost every year, it\u2019s clear that this isn\u2019t simply about a passing headache.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f52be7 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"2f52be7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/find-a-course\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-icon elementor-align-icon-left\">\n\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fab fa-discourse\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Find an upcoming course<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a3cf6d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3a3cf6d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>What Are Migraines? <\/b><\/p><p>Migraines are a neurophysiological disorder characterised by throbbing headaches, often experienced on one side of the head. The intensity of these headaches varies from person to person (and even migraine to migraine), and can be accompanied by feelings of sickness and sensitivity to light and sound. People who live with migraines may also experience auras, visual disturbances such as sparkles, coloured spots, flashing lights and tunnel vision, before the headache develops. There are even \u201csilent\u201d migraines where people see auras and experience other symptoms, but do not suffer the headache.<\/p><p>Migraines affect one in seven people and are twice as likely to affect women than men. Despite being a relatively common experience, the exact cause of migraines is still unknown. About half of those who experience migraines have a close relative who also suffer from the condition, hinting at a predisposed genetic element, but the best theory at this time is that migraines are the result of temporary changes in chemicals, nerves and blood vessels in the brain.<\/p><p>Some people have particular triggers for their migraines, such as menstruation, stress, exhaustion or certain food and drinks (the Joanne Harris novel <a href=\"\\&quot;https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Five-Quarters-Orange-Joanne-Harris\/dp\/0552998834\\&quot;\">Five Quarters of the Orange<\/a> features a character whose migraines are proceeded by the strong smell of oranges). Their frequency also varies wildly from person to person, with some only experiencing an attack every few years, while others get them several times a week. The pain in itself can be debilitating, rendering sufferers inactive and prompting a hasty retreat to a darkened room until the migraine passes. However, other feelings such as anxiety, aversion to light and noise, confusion and dizziness also make normal life difficult during a migraine attack.<\/p><p><b>Why Is There Migraine Stigma?<\/b><\/p><p>Like period pain, depression and many \u201cinvisible illnesses\u201d, the effect of migraines can be wildly underestimated, and those who experience them are sometimes accused of exaggeration or not putting in the effort needed to help themselves. This can have huge personal ramifications. Migraine sufferers can end up feeling misunderstood and dismissed, and worried about how sick-leave will affect their boss\u2019s attitude towards them and their career.<\/p><p>This hasn\u2019t been helped by the fact that migraines have become a favourite excuse (probably just behind the \u201cmystery mid-week, 24-hour stomach bug\u201d that appears after a night of Tuesday indulgence) for those pulling a sickie. A recent YouGov poll of 2,105 people found 15% of workers who admitted to making up illness to get a day off used migraine as their excuse. Migraines have probably developed this questionable accolade through the same reasons that make it often underestimated &#8211; that is, being hard to define, unpredictable, generally short-lived and invisible.<\/p><p>This means that genuine migraine sufferers fear that they won\u2019t be believed or taken seriously. Beyond this, they can also feel that their absenteeism will mean they are overlooked for promotion, and that even an understanding boss may not give them more responsibility for fear of exacerbating the condition. No one wants to feel that they are considered unreliable at work, and being seen as somehow \u201cdelicate\u201d can make people feel uncomfortable and held back in the workplace.<\/p><p>In some circumstances people experience migraines of such regularity and intensity that they can\u2019t work at all, and then face the uphill battle of proving how ill they are to secure government help and support &#8211; something that\u2019s only getting harder. This is especially difficult considering <a href=\"\\&quot;https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2013\/01\/130117084641.htm\/\\&quot;\">migraines are often thought of in the popular consciousness<\/a> as a minor problem, or \u201cjust a headache\u201d.<\/p><p><b>Raising Awareness of Migraines.<\/b><\/p><p>Whether it\u2019s an issue that only bothers you inconsequentially every few months, or something that has a huge impact of your life, there are ways to manage migraines and lots of support and advice available. Here at Will Williams Meditation we aim to help people <a href=\"\\&quot;https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/why-meditate\/body\/migraines\/\\&quot;\">manage their migraines<\/a> through Beeja meditation, if you think you could benefit from our help, please get in touch, we\u2019re always available to help.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-db41132\" data-id=\"db41132\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d2f816f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d2f816f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-95ba1d3\" data-id=\"95ba1d3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0de63a9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0de63a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"474\" height=\"212\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/beeja-text-logo.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-723\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/beeja-text-logo.png 474w, https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/beeja-text-logo-300x134.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9941020 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9941020\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.13.3 - 28-05-2023 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Benefits of Beeja Meditation<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f77d15 elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"3f77d15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/elementor\/assets\/css\/widget-icon-list.min.css\">\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-double-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Reduce stress and anxiety<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-double-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Greater clarity and calm<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-double-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Increase focus<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-double-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Enhance relationships<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-double-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Sleep better<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-double-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Feel energised<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a886a01 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a886a01\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"512\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/blog-02.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-901\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/blog-02.jpg 512w, https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/blog-02-150x300.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week it\u2019s Migraine Awareness Week and we have been looking into the problems, pain and stigmatisation that accompanies this often misunderstood illness. There are more migraines sufferers than people who live with diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined in the UK, costing the economy an estimated \u00a32.25 billion a year. With over six million people [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16169,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beeja-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7850","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7850"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7850\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16176,"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7850\/revisions\/16176"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16169"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7850"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7850"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beejameditation.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7850"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}