Migraine: A Neuropsychiatric Perspective

Migraine affects roughly one in seven people globally — and women three times more than men. Beyond pain, it carries cognitive slowing, nausea, photophobia and significant lifestyle disruption. What many do not realise is that migraine has a deep two-way relationship with psychiatric conditions: depression doubles the risk of migraine and vice versa. At Manas, we approach migraine with a neuropsychiatric lens. Triggers are mapped (sleep, stress, diet, hormones), preventive medications are tailored, and abortive medications are used judiciously to avoid medication-overuse headache. For refractory cases, we offer neuromodulation options — rTMS and tDCS protocols are emerging as well-tolerated, drug-sparing alternatives. Concurrent treatment of comorbid depression and anxiety often reduces migraine frequency more than any single migraine drug alone. Living with migraine is exhausting; effective, personalised treatment is closer than most patients believe.