10 Common Myths about Migraine

MYTH 1: Migraine is just a bad headache.

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder, not simply a headache. While head pain is a common symptom, many people also experience nausea, dizziness, visual disturbances, fatigue and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks can last anywhere from four to 72 hours and, for many people, are completely debilitating. Calling it “just a headache” minimises a condition that is very real and very serious. 

MYTH 2: Migraine isn’t a serious medical condition.

Migraine is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, particularly among younger and middle-aged adults. Its impact on work, study, family and everyday life can be profound – even when it’s invisible to those around you. Frequent or severe attacks can affect a person’s ability to function in almost every area of life. 

MYTH 3: Migraine is rare.

In Australia, migraine affects about one in five people and is among the 20 most common conditions managed by GPs. Women and people of working age – between 25 and 55 – are disproportionately affected. For women aged 15 to 49, migraine is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Children can also experience migraine, although symptoms can be different to adults. Chances are, someone in your life is living with it right now.

MYTH 4: Migraine is the same for everyone.

Migraine affects each person differently. Symptoms, triggers, attack frequency and treatment responses can vary significantly from one individual to another. Some people experience aura, while others do not. Some have occasional attacks, while others live with chronic migraine. This is why personalised treatment and management plans are so important.

MYTH 5: You just need to push through a migraine. 

Migraine is a recognised neurological disorder with biological and genetic causes – not a sign of weakness or poor coping. Trying to “push through” can worsen symptoms and prolong recovery – it would be like trying to run a marathon with a broken leg. Many people living with migraine continue to work, study and care for others while managing a profoundly disabling condition – that takes strength, not stubbornness. Rest, appropriate medication and avoiding known triggers are all important parts of managing an attack. 

MYTH 6: Migraine is just a women’s problem.

While migraine is more common in women, largely due to hormonal factors, it affects people of all genders and ages. Men and non-binary people are frequently underdiagnosed because migraine is dismissed or not considered. Anyone experiencing recurring debilitating headaches alongside other symptoms should seek a proper assessment, regardless of their gender. 

MYTH 7: Stress causes migraine.

Stress can be a trigger for many people, but it is not the underlying cause of migraine. Migraine is a neurological condition influenced by a combination of genetic, biological and environmental factors. In fact, researchers have identified over 100 genes associated with migraine. Other common triggers may include hormonal changes, disrupted sleep, dehydration, certain foods, changes in weather and sensory overload.

MYTH 8: You can cure migraine by finding and avoiding your triggers.

Identifying triggers can help reduce the frequency of attacks, but avoiding them entirely is not always possible – and trigger avoidance alone is not a cure. Migraine has biological and genetic underpinnings that go beyond lifestyle factors. Effective management is highly individual, and usually involves a combination of acute treatments, preventive therapies and lifestyle strategies, developed with the help of a GP or neurologist. 

MYTH 9: A migraine resolves quickly.

A migraine occurs in distinct phases and can last from a few hours to several days. Its impact often extends beyond the attack itself, affecting quality of life between episodes as people constantly manage triggers and cope with the uncertainty of when the next attack may occur. This ongoing uncertainty can contribute to a significant psychosocial burden, affecting emotional well-being, social relationships, and daily activities.

MYTH 10: There’s nothing you can do about migraine.

Effective treatments and preventive therapies are available, and options continue to improve as research progresses. A GP or neurologist can help develop a management plan tailored to the individual, which may include acute treatments, preventive medications, lifestyle strategies and evidence-based therapies. Keeping a headache diary can help identify triggers and monitor treatment effectiveness. Early intervention is also really important, and can help prevent someone progressing from episodic to chronic.  

References:

1. Deloitte Access Economics, Migraine in Australia White Paper.
2. AIHW, Dec 2025. Migraine and headaches in Australia
3. Hillard et al, 2025. Medicine Today
4. Migraine and Headache Australia