The Link Between PTSD and Headaches

Medically reviewed by
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on August 05, 2016
Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital.
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Steven Gans, MD
Written by
Written by Matthew Tull, PhD
Matthew Tull, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Toledo, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder.
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Matthew Tull, PhD
Updated on October 07, 2019
Close-up of a businesswoman suffering from a headache in an office

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Few people talk about it, but there is a reason to believe that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and headaches frequently co-occur. Even though headaches have received much less attention among mental health professionals than other problems in PTSD, the connection between PTSD and headaches makes sense. If you have PTSD, you are at higher risk of developing a number of different physical health problems, such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and pain. When it comes to pain in particular, for example, 20 to 30 percent of people with PTSD have been found to report problems with pain.

When it comes to headaches, patients with migraine or tension headaches report high rates of exposure to traumatic events. In addition, about 17% have symptoms consistent with a PTSD diagnosis.

Another study found that 32 percent of OEF/OIF veterans with PTSD say that they have problems with headaches.

The Connection Between PTSD and Headaches

It is not entirely clear why people with PTSD may be more likely to experience problems with headaches. However, stress has been linked to the occurrence of headaches, and the symptoms of PTSD can definitely contribute to very high levels of stress and emotional strain. In addition, headache patients tend to have more stressful events in their daily lives.

PTSD can significantly interfere with many aspects of a person’s life, including work and relationships. This fact likely causes more stress, increasing the likelihood of headaches.

In some cases, the type of traumatic event a person with PTSD has experienced may increase the likelihood of headaches. For example, if you were in an accident or situation where you experienced a head injury or a traumatic brain injury, you may be more likely to experience problems with headaches. In fact, OEF/OIF veterans are exhibiting high rates of traumatic brain injuries, which may account for the number of headaches reported by OEF/OIF veterans with PTSD.

How to Manage Headaches

If you have PTSD and are experiencing significant problems with headaches, it is important to visit with a doctor to discuss what your options are in terms of treatment. You can learn more about the different types of headaches, how they are diagnosed, and options for treatment.

Given that high levels of stress are associated with headaches, it can also be important to put into action coping skills focused on reducing stress. There are several effective and healthy coping strategies for reducing stress if you have PTSD. Not only may these coping strategies help with their headaches, but they can also help minimize other stress-related problems, such as anxiety and depression.

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Article Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  • Asmundson, G.J.G., Coons, M.J., Taylor, S., & Katz, J. (2002). PTSD and the Experience of Pain: Research and Clinical Implications of Shared Vulnerability and Mutual Maintenance Models. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 47, 930-937.

  • De Benedittis, G., & Lorenzetti, A. (1992). The Role of Stressful Life Events in the Persistence of Primary Headache: Major Events vs. Daily Hassles. Pain, 51, 35-42.

  • De Leeuw, R., Schmidt, J.E., & Carlson, C.R. (2005). Traumatic Stressors and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Headache Patients. Headache, 45, 1365-1374.

  • Ficek, S.K., & Wittrock, D.A. (1995). Subjective Stress and Coping in Recurrent Tension-Type Headaches. Headache, 35, 455-460.

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