Author Stephen King is among 29.5 million Americans affected by migraine pain and symptoms. A migraine headache typically involves intense pain and throbbing on one or both sides of the head. There’s no known cause of migraines, but researchers believe inflammation and pressure on your nerves or genetics could be linked to the condition.
King had mentioned in interviews that he suffered from migraine headaches when he was younger. He explained the cause of this as being all of the ideas bouncing around in his head. King also attributes these ideas to driving his creativity. The stress of writing and publishing books up to four times a year could have been contributed to this pain.
King has turned his migraine experience into inspiration for his writing in previous books. King, who has suffered from migraines, explains his pain from his character’s perspective in his novel Firestarter. King wrote, “The headache would get worse until it was a smashing weight, sending red pain through his head and neck with every pulse beat. Bright lights would make his eyes water helplessly and send darts of agony into the flesh just behind his eyes. Small noises magnified, ordinary noises insupportable.” The extensive detail he provides helps readers understand what this pain can feel like.
Migraines can feel isolating, and it can be hard to believe that other people are going through the same things. However, reading these depictions or seeing a visual representation of migraine pain by writers, actors, and other forms of media can help you feel less alone. It's important to share your experience and talk to others with the same condition.
Whether through writing or speaking, getting support can help you find patterns and triggers to help you anticipate future attacks. While King doesn't speak a lot about his migraines, he does share his experience through his writings.
