VIDEO: The impact of migraines on the worklife of those who suffer

New research from The Migraine Trust has found people with migraine are not taken seriously both in their personal lives as well as the workplace. As a result, many are losing jobs, hiding their condition and facing being the brunt of jokes.

Additionally, the charity found a concerning lack of understanding about the condition among those without migraine, with over half thinking it was just ‘a bad headache’ and 66% thinking migraine is caused by ‘stress or anxiety’. A new film from the charity highlights the workplace impact of poor understanding. You can view it below:

Migraine is a complex neurological condition characterised by migraine attacks. Symptoms can include headache, nausea and vomiting, sensitivity to lights, sounds or smells and fatigue. Up to one third of people also experience aura with migraine attacks, most commonly in the form of visual disturbances.

The research, based on two surveys – one of 2,141 people with migraine and one of 2,000 working age adults without migraine – reveals a troubling gap in the reality of life with migraine and the perception of the condition from those who do not experience it.

Key findings:

Migraine misunderstanding and misconceptions: Only around a third (32%) of those without migraine correctly identified it as a neurological condition with a staggering 60% thinking it was merely ‘a bad headache’.
Workplace reality: A significant 91% of those with migraine had worked while experiencing migraine symptoms, with many using annual or unpaid leave to avoid taking sick days. In contrast, those without migraine talked about ‘laziness’ and using migraine as an ‘excuse’ to avoid work. These misconceptions have real-world implications, with one in four of those with migraine saying they had either left or considered leaving a role because the employer was unsupportive about migraine. Less than two in five of those without migraine would be very likely to believe:

Someone who called in sick due to migraine
Somone who was unable to finish a work task due to migraine
Someone who had to log off early from work due to migraine
Someone who was unable to do a big presentation due to migraine.
Consequences for candidates and staff with migraine: 60% of respondents without migraine said that if they were managing a team, they would feel concerned about hiring a qualified candidate who disclosed having the condition. This concern is particularly high among C-level executives, rising to 83%, which could easily translate into discriminatory hiring practices.

Many people with migraine spoke of missing out on opportunities in both their careers and personal lives; “I lost my job of 13 years… Since then, it’s been a constant fight for benefits. I’m heavily reliant on my family when I used to be such an independent person. Its stripped me of my identity and confidence. It’s completely ruined my life.”

Migraine as a punchline: Two thirds (65%) of people with migraine felt that others often don’t believe them when they report their symptoms, while 77% said they felt people don’t take migraine seriously and joke about the condition. 60% of people without migraine agreed migraine is often used as a joke.
Migraine downplayed in the media: Some respondents with migraine noted the role of media representation of the condition in adding to misconceptions and stigma: “In drama series if migraine is mentioned it is always to show a character is making excuses/being flaky.”

The negative perception of migraine among the public and employers means people with the condition are less likely to speak up. A striking 58% of people with migraine had avoided disclosing their condition to employers or colleagues, often due to fear of not being taken seriously. Only 2% of respondents strongly agreed that their workplace had migraine-friendly policies, further highlighting the lack of institutional support for those affected by the condition.

Migraine can vary in frequency, severity and types of symptoms experienced, with many people noting that this can lead to difficulty explaining the impact in the workplace.

The findings highlight the urgent need for improved education about the condition among the public and better workplace support for people living with migraine. The Migraine Trust wants to see migraine given the recognition it deserves and for everyone with the condition to be supported to achieve their career goals. This includes for the Government to ensure that national policies take migraine into account, for example through the recent Pathways to Work Green Paper, to support people to remain in or re-enter work.

Rob Music, Chief Executive of The Migraine Trust, said: “It is sad to see just how deep migraine misunderstanding runs in our society and the very real consequences this is having on people with the condition. In the workplace this can lead to people losing jobs, being overlooked for a promotion and trying to hide debilitating symptoms. With often small changes, employers can make a huge difference in the working lives of their staff with migraine., with the benefits extending to the organisation too. Migraine is much more than just a headache—it’s a complex neurological condition that profoundly impacts daily life. We’re calling on employers and those who do not live with migraine to take time to learn what migraine really means.”

The charity is urging employers to raise awareness of migraine and review their policies and procedures to ensure they are supportive of their staff with migraine. This includes signing up to The Migraine Trust’s Workplace Pledge, which enables organisations to show that they understand the condition and will make adjustments to support employees in their role.

Find out more about The Migraine Trust and sign up to the Workplace Pledge here.