Living With Migraine Through Times of Grief & Loss

Day 5 (2026)

Key Questions

Why does grieving complicate the challenges faced by a person living with migraine disease?
What is the neurobiological link between the emotional pain of loss and the physical pain of migraine?
How do approaches like the Five Stages of Grief and the Dual Process Model apply to coping with migraine and grief?
What are some practical areas to focus on when going through the grieving process?
How should someone with migraine who is also grieving prepare for a funeral?
How should one handle grief during milestones like anniversaries?
What signs indicate a need for professional psychological support?
How can someone effectively communicate this “double burden” of migraine and grief to others?
How can one prepare for an anticipated loss?
What is the most important message for someone in the fog of grief?

Interview Notes

Treatments Mentioned

Counseling/therapy
Eating regularly
Hobbies
Hydration
Journaling
Movement
Routine/consistency
Self-care
Sleep routine
Support groups

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Disclaimer: The Migraine World Summit aims to bring you a variety of perspectives and expertise, free from bias or judgment. Alternative theories presented in this video have not been medically reviewed. Views expressed in this interview do not necessarily represent the views of the Migraine World Summit. Please always consult your health care professional and do your own research before making changes to your treatment plan.

Expert

Dawn C. Buse, PhD

Psychologist & Clinical Professor of Neurology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Dawn C. Buse, PhD, is a clinical professor of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She is a member of the board of directors of the Headache Cooperative of the Pacific, and a licensed psychologist. She has authored approximately 250 scientific manuscripts and has won 15 U.S. and international research awards and professional awards for her work in the field of migraine.

She is a co-investigator on numerous U.S. and international studies, including the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP) study; the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) study; the Migraine Signature Study (MSS); the International Burden of Migraine Study (IBMS); the Migraine in America Symptoms and Treatment (MAST) study; the Observational Survey of the Epidemiology, Treatment and Care of Migraine (OVERCOME) study; and a recipient of the FDA-sponsored Migraine Clinical Outcome Assessment System (MiCOAS) grant, which is gathering patient input for the development of migraine clinical trial endpoints. She is an advocate for the well-being of patients and healthcare professionals.