Nine in ten people with migraine (90%) have not felt believed about the severity or impact of their condition with more than three quarters (77%) saying that disbelief has damaged their mental health.
That’s according to our new report, Unbelievable: the mental health toll of not being believed about the severity and impact of migraine, which combines new polling of people with migraine with a review of existing research and support service data from the charity.
Migraine affects around one in seven people in the UK and can cause debilitating symptoms, from severe head pain and dizziness to sensory sensitivity, nausea and vomiting. Yet many people still face disbelief about its impact in healthcare settings, at work and among friends and family.
Nearly a third (31%) of people with migraine said they had not felt believed by a colleague or manager at work and almost one in four (24%) said they had not felt believed by their family or someone they live with. One in five (20%) said they did not feel believed by a healthcare professional.
Worryingly, The Migraine Trust’s helpline data suggests worsening mental health more broadly among people with migraine. Callers mentioning suicidal thoughts rose by 54% in the last six months and almost trebled year-on-year, up 270%. People reporting isolation and wellbeing struggles also increased, up 15% and 26% respectively.
Rob Music, Chief Executive, The Migraine Trust, said: “A common perception of migraine is that it is ‘just a headache’ and ‘it can’t be that bad’, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. This new report sets out the compounding effect that not being believed about migraine has on mental health and paints an incredibly concerning picture.
“Many living with the condition are facing disbelief and downplaying of their symptoms in all parts of their lives, from healthcare settings to workplaces, and even, sadly, among loved ones. The impact of this for those living with migraine can be devastating.
“We need to urgently tackle the stigma associated with migraine. This Migraine Awareness Week, we are calling for greater public understanding of the condition, especially among employers and healthcare professionals. This simple act can have a profound impact on the quality of care and support that people with migraine so desperately need.”
These latest figures add to existing evidence that paints a concerning picture of the mental health impact of migraine. Previous research conducted by The Migraine Trust has examined the different ways that the condition can affect mental health and wellbeing.
The Migraine Trust’s 2024 report, Migraine Hurts, found that almost nine in 10 (89%) people with migraine said the condition had affected their mental health, with over half (55%) describing the impact as significant. Its latest survey found that more than three-quarters (77%) said not being believed about migraine had negatively affected their mental health. Despite this, research published earlier this year found that only one in 10 (10%) had been offered NHS mental health support.
Hollyoaks star Jessica Fox said: “I’ve lived with migraine for most of my life and the impact is huge. There are times an attack will leave me in a dark room, physically unable to carry on with normal life. There is also that concern about being believed by others about how migraine affects me, that it is not ‘just a headache’ or something that simply drinking more water can ‘fix’.
“I’ve been lucky that there’s been understanding from those I work with on Hollyoaks and other productions that I might need a break, or even production knowing that LED lights are a nightmare for me and using gel coverings. Not everyone has that understanding in the workplace though, and that really needs to change.”
Claudia, who lives with migraine, said: “At one point, after calling in sick with migraine three times in six months, senior management called me into a meeting and said, ‘We don’t believe you. You’re using migraine as an excuse’. Shortly afterwards, I was violently sick in front of them and blacked out. Even despite this, my employer continued to distrust me.”
Migraine Awareness Week starts today (21 September) and runs until 27 September. The theme of this year’s annual awareness campaign is ‘Believe Me’. To find out how to get involved, visit migrainetrust.org.
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- Data based on a survey of 594 people with migraine conducted by The Migraine Trust between 31 July 2026 and 17 August 2026.
- Migraine Awareness Week runs from 21-27 September. This year focusing on the importance of being believed about the severity and impact of the condition, and the devastating effects of facing disbelief and dismissal. More information and ways to get involved can be found here.
