Neurological disorders and injuries

Headaches and migraines

People experience head pain, from dull aches to intense throbbing, often with nausea or light sensitivity.
  • enableDex
  • disAbility Atlas
      • Headaches and migraines

About

Headaches and migraines are conditions that cause pain in the head.

Migraines are intense, throbbing headaches often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.

Tension headaches are more common and cause dull, constant pain.

This condition is often invisible.

Many disabilities, including this one, may not have outward signs—people can be significantly impacted even if they appear “fine” on the outside.

Common Challenges

  • Difficulty concentrating due to pain.
  • Reduced productivity.
  • Sensitivity to light or noise in the workplace.
  • Needing frequent breaks or rest periods.
  • Unpredictable nature of migraines, making it hard to plan work schedules.
  • Possible need for a flexible work schedule or working from home.

Practitioner Help

  • Provide advice on job roles that are less stressful and involve fewer triggers.
  • Assist with developing coping strategies to manage pain during work.
  • Suggest work schedule flexibility, including remote work if necessary.
  • Educate the employer about the condition to create understanding and support.
  • Help with resume building, especially focusing on skills not limited by headaches or migraines.

Common Accommodations

  • Adjustments in workload to reduce stress
  • Flexible working hours or part-time work
  • A quiet or low-sensory workspace
  • Allowing breaks to rest or recalibrate balance
  • Quiet work environment or noise-cancelling headphones
View more on enableDex

Notes

Migraines can be triggered by various factors, including stress, lack of sleep, and certain foods. It is important to identify triggers and work with healthcare providers for effective management.

image15.png

World Migraine Day is 21st June

Video titled: Migraine Australia Migraine Explained picture

Video titled: Migraine Australia Managing Migraine picture

Resources

  • Migraine | healthdirect
  • Migraine Australia
  • Understanding Headaches: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Locations
Neurological disorders and injuries

Help Us Improve the Knowledge Hub

This Knowledge Hub is a living library that relies on community feedback to stay current, accurate, and effective for everyone. We welcome all submissions, whether you've spotted an error, have an improvement idea, or want to suggest a new topic.

Report an Inaccuracy

Help us correct outdated information, broken links, or any factual errors you find.

Suggest an Improvement

Suggest an improvement to make an existing profile or resource much clearer.
submit feedback