There's Still Hope In Sight - Chronic Migraine & Suicide Awareness Day!

May is National Suicide Awareness Month. Suicide is a very real possibility for thousands of people who suffer from Chronic Migraines and/or Chronic Daily Headaches. A life of chronic pain takes a toll on someone, not only physically, but mentally also. We feel like burdens to our families and carry a tremendous load of guilt, anger, sadness, and emptiness. Show your solidarity and recognition of the duality of pain so many of us live.

We are declaring May 29th to be Chronic Migraine & Suicide Awareness Day. Show support and wear purple, red, and black - the colors of our ribbon - and bring as much light to a very dark reality many people call life.  Depression is a comorbid condition to Migraine disease.  Depression is not a symptom of Migraine disease, nor the other way around.  It is very likely that a person with Migraine disease will also have depression.  Mostly due to the poor quality of life a migraineur, especially those with CM, have.  The risk of suicide is increased by more than 50% in people who are [clinically] depressed showing a relationship between suicide and depression.

After my attempt there wasn't anyone who I knew that could understand what I just went through.  Besides, who willingly goes around telling people that they recently tried to kill themselves?  Exactly, no one.  It would have been so nice to speak with people who had the same disease I did and felt the way I felt about living a life of pain.  I was very lonely and felt very misunderstood.  That is why I have started a support group on Facebook specifically for people with CM/CDH and who feel they are at the end of their ropes.  It's a secret group so only members can see what is written there.  We never speak of what is discussed or shared there to anyone outside of the group.  There is such a shared sense of understanding and sympathy that we wouldn't be able to get anywhere else.  It's unfortunate that when faced with the daunting image of a future consisting of daily pain, one would rather not wake up to another day of misery.  That thought is almost always comforting.  Spoken to an individual who does not experience chronic pain and does not have depression, that looks selfish and weak.  The stigmas surrounding suicide, mental illness and Migraine disease need to be eradicated so that we are finally given the freedom and safety to be honest about how terrible we feel.  Most of the time, in the case of chronic migraine sufferers, suicide ideation is expressed.  Someone who is exhibiting suicide ideation has/is:  

• Expressed or communicated ideation

• Threatening to hurt or kill him/herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself; and/or

• Looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means; and/or

• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary.

Suicide ideation is one part of many warning signs of suicide.  An easy way to remember them is with the mnemonic IS PATH WARM? Seek immediate help from a mental health professional if any of these are observed.  Call 1-800-273-TALK(8255) and get a referral.

 I   Ideation

S  Substance Abuse

P  Purposelessness

A  Anxiety

T  Trapped

H  Hopelessness

W Withdrawal

A  Anger

R  Recklessness

M  Mood Changes

If you are having these thoughts, have attempted in the past or are a family member or friend of a someone in chronic pain, these websites can help get you in touch with a mental health professional or gain access to valuable information to better educate yourself.

American Association of Suicidology

Anxiety Disorders Association of America

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Yellow Ribbon International Suicide Prevention Program

Suicide Anonymous (it follows the AA 12 Step Program but for suicide)

National Organization for Colored People Against Suicide