Men with Migraine – The Double Standard
According to a study conducted by Cleveland Clinic, only about 60% of men attend yearly doctors’ checkups. Another 61% of men stated they only go to a doctor or physician if a medical issue becomes unbearable for them to deal with on their own. For minor issues such as colds, the flu, or otherwise, most men seemingly prefer to deal with it on their own.
With this in mind, it’s no wonder that many men who suffer from migraine don’t address or report it. Given that a smaller percentage of men than women struggle with migraine attacks, it’s easy to assume that it’s not much of an issue among men. It could even be argued that this smaller percentage of men who present with migraine could be a result of men’s tendency not to report medical issues or even admit to them. What exactly creates this stigma amongst men, and why is it so dangerous when talking about migraine?
Just Walk It Off!
From an early age, many men are presented with the expectations that stem from toxic masculinity. They’re expected to handle small injuries, bumps, and bruises with ease. The expectation is toughness, along with the ability to keep going despite the hurt. This is somewhat less common nowadays with young boys. However, the impact it had on those who are now adults has lingered on. It’s common for men not only to disregard medical issues they’re having, but even to take some pride in functioning despite those ongoing issues! It goes without saying that this behavior only stands to make the problems worse. In fact, it can be especially concerning with conditions like migraine.
Well, It Won’t Kill Me
Migraine, for many men, is something they consider harmless. To them, it causes pain and discomfort, but not necessarily to a problematic degree. Since it’s an invisible disability, it makes it easy for them to disregard it as harmless. Something they don’t need to address or discuss. In addition, the comorbidities that come along with migraine might not strike them as related. Since many of those comorbidities could also be considered invisible disabilities, that makes it even easier to disregard them. Those issues are something also to be either ignored or worked through silently.
While women are often encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings from a young age, men are often encouraged to do the opposite. The idea that pain is something that just has to be dealt with, is often instilled at an early age. For many young men, this reduces the likelihood of them discussing something like migraine even further.
Normalize Not Being Okay
In contrast to how many men were raised, what’s important is to teach them how pain should be handled. Everyone struggles with sickness and discomfort, and it’s important to be open and honest about it. We need to teach our young men that it’s okay to not be okay. It’s ok to show weakness! If they’re in pain, encourage them to tell someone so it can be taken care of. People are generally ready and willing to help if they understand. Creating judgment-free spaces for them to discuss how they’re doing will help young men feel safe and willing to talk. The standard for WHEN something needs to be addressed is not just when it becomes life-threatening. There’s so much more to being alive than just surviving.
Let Us Know!
Are you a man who has trouble opening up to friends and loved ones about your health or migraine? What is the biggest challenge in that for you? Do you know someone who refuses to seek treatment or doesn’t take their own health seriously and needs advice?