Can worry cause headaches?

Anxiety and worry are often used interchangeably to describe excessive thinking about an event or situation. Anxiety can cause headaches and other physical symptoms like upset stomach, exhaustion, chest pain, and difficulty sleeping. Tension headaches are usually attributed to anxiety and worry, and ironically, experiencing frequent headaches can worsen the symptoms of anxiety and worry that you may already be experiencing.

Tension headaches develop with stress or anxiety but can have other triggers. Symptoms of these types of headaches are mild or moderate aching or dull pain, pressure behind the eyes, the pressure that feels like the head is being squeezed, tightness in the neck and shoulders, and tenderness in the scalp. These headaches can improve quickly or last several days.

While migraine headaches aren’t specifically caused by stress, they may be triggered by bouts of stress, worry or anxiety. These headaches are often described as throbbing, one-sided, and may come with increased sensitivity to sound or light, nausea, vomiting, or aura that involves seeing spots or lights in one’s vision. Migraines can last for days without treatment.

If you’re experiencing headaches that are unusual, it’s important to talk with your doctor. If you’re experiencing headaches that are linked with stress or anxiety, talking with your doctor about treatment options can be helpful. Identifying your headache triggers and anxiety triggers can help you develop habits and routines that may help offset both. Doctors and therapists alike often recommend overall stress and anxiety reduction practices when approaching anxiety or stress-related headaches. These may include lifestyle changes like:

• Improving sleep quality
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Getting regular exercise
• Practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or progressive muscle relaxation
• Cultivating activities and hobbies that you enjoy
• Building and spending time with your support system
• Attending therapy to process stressful or anxiety-provoking events and thoughts

Unmanaged stress, worry, and anxiety can lead to overwhelm that interferes with your ability to function in daily activities. If you’re experiencing an interruption in your daily routine due to headaches, stress, or anxiety, talk with your doctor, or licensed mental health professional. In therapy, you can identify triggers and create solutions to them, get outside feedback on stressful or worrying situations, and have a safe and supportive space to process the worry you experience.