Telling your friends about migraine

A big hurdle might be how to tell your friends about your migraine.

You might think that your friends won’t understand you if you have migraine but if they are your true friends, this is highly unlikely. Migraine affects many children and young people and it isn’t something you should be ashamed to have. Why not tell your friends about this website? Your friends might not understand what migraine is and if you perhaps look at it with them, they can find out all about migraine, how it affects you and how they can help to look after you if you feel a migraine attack starting.

Your friends might not know anything about migraine or they may have some ideas that aren’t right. Help them to understand what happens to you when you have a migraine attack. By explaining what happens, your friends will hopefully be more understanding when you do get a migraine and will want to learn more to help you.

Friends can be a great support and will accept your condition because it’s just the way you are. Sometimes though, you won't even feel like talking to your friends about what's happening or how you feel. Remember your parents and carers, school nurse and teachers are there to turn to as well. You should keep them informed about your migraine and help others to learn more about the condition – in turn it will help you after all.

Think positive
Don’t think that your migraine puts you at a disadvantage; if you do, your friends will. You’ve got used to your migraine and so will your friends. Be open and confident talking about your migraine and this will help your friends not to be negative about the condition too. You might not know it, but your friend may know members of their own family or have other friends who also have migraine.

Please click here to find out how to help friends understand more about your migraine and to download an information booklet.