Can Stress Cause Headaches?
The short answer is yes, stress can cause headaches. Many people experience headaches when they are feeling anxious or overwhelmed. In fact, stress-related headaches are among the most common types of headaches.
Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. When you sense danger—whether it’s real or imagined—the body's defenses kick into high gear in a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction or the “stress response.”
The stress response is the body’s way of protecting you. When working properly, it helps you stay focused, energetic, and alert. In emergency situations, stress can save your life—giving you extra strength to defend yourself, for example, or spurring you to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident.
The stress response also helps you rise to meet challenges. But beyond a certain point, stress stops being helpful and starts causing major damage to your health, your mood, your productivity, your relationships, and your quality of life.
Stress can cause headaches, in addition to other physical symptoms such as chest pain, fatigue, muscle tension, and stomach problems. When a person is stressed, the muscles in the head and neck tense up, and this can lead to a headache.
The intensity and frequency of stress-related headaches can vary greatly from person to person. Some people may experience only a mild headache, while others may have severe headaches that last for days or even weeks.
If you suffer from stress-related headaches, there are several ways to manage them. Exercise, relaxation techniques, and proper diet and sleep can all help to reduce stress and reduce the frequency and intensity of your headaches. In addition, certain medications, such as over-the-counter pain relievers, may be used to manage the symptoms. If your headaches are severe or persistent, it is important to speak with your doctor to determine the best course of treatment.