TY - JOUR AU - Flynn, Niamh PY - 2021 DA - 2021/05/02 TI - Psychological Considerations in the Etiology and Pathophysiology of Migraines JO - OBM Neurobiology SP - 092 VL - 05 IS - 02 AB - Although studies to understand the pathogenesis of migraines are in progress, no theory has adequately explained the etiology and pathophysiology of migraines to date. This has affected the development of treatment strategies for migraineurs. Currently, the pharmacological treatment for migraines provides both acute and prophylactic options to patients based on a biomedical model of pain. However, patients’ adherence to oral migraine preventive medication (OMPM) is poor, and their persistence is even lower when they cycle through a variety of OMPMs [1]. Although our understanding of the pathophysiology of migraines within the context of the current biopsychosocial model of pain has advanced in recent years, there is a need to better understand the role of social and psychological factors in the pathophysiology of this debilitating disease, which would pave the way for the development and acceptance of more diverse and inclusive treatments. In this review, we provide an overview of the various theories that purport to explain the pathogenesis of the headache phase of migraines, examine the usefulness and shortcomings of these theories, and investigate how psychological considerations may help develop treatments to assist migraine sufferers in managing their headaches better. SN - 2573-4407 UR - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2102092 DO - 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2102092 ID - Flynn2021 ER -