Bustle | 3 Women On Dealing With The Recurring Tragedy Of Migraines During Work
“My line of work is talking and supporting people during some of the worst moments of their lives,” says Bushra, a psychotherapist and owner of a Chicago-based private practice. “One of my worst fears surrounding my migraines is, ‘What if I have one during a session with a client?’” For Bushra, and the 28 million women in the United States who deal with debilitating migraine, there’s never a good time for one to strike, but worse, it can show up during the day when you’re expected to bring your A-game to work. Whether they’re derailing meetings, work calls, or presentations — or making it impossible to sit in front of a computer at all — migraines can quietly upend productivity in ways coworkers and managers don’t always see. “Many people experience sensitivity to light and sound, so typical workplace environments with bright or fluorescent lighting, computer monitors, or conversations can intensify symptoms,” says Danielle Wilhour, MD, a neurologist at UCHealth and an associate professor of neurology at the University of Colorado. “Migraines can cause significant fatigue and a need to rest in a dark, quiet space, which is not always possible in an office environment. The unpredictability of attacks can add stress or anxiety, further affecting productivity and performance.”