Many People With Migraine Unaware the Disease Can Worsen, New Survey Finds

New survey by the nonprofit Association of Migraine Disorders highlights the need for better education about migraine progression and treatment

Providence, RI, Nov. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new patient-focused survey by the nonprofit Association of Migraine Disorders, many people living with migraine do not realize it can be a progressive disease, meaning migraine attacks and symptoms can become more frequent and severe over time.

Some people experience migraine chronification, when episodic migraine progresses to chronic migraine. People with chronic migraine experience attacks more frequently, often with more severe pain and symptoms and greater disability.

In the survey of 459 people with self-reported migraine, half of the respondents said they had not always known that migraine can be a progressive disease. Another 18 percent said they hadn’t known this at all.

Risk factors associated with chronification include increasing headache frequency, medication overuse headache, anxiety or depression, sleep issues, frequent nausea, allodynia, and stress.

Many delay treatment, despite migraine’s impact

Migraine management includes acute treatments, which are used at the onset of an attack to relieve pain and other symptoms, and preventive treatments, which are taken regularly to help reduce attack frequency, severity, and/or related disability. An acute treatment should be part of every migraine treatment plan, and preventive treatment may be recommended for people who experience four or more migraine or headache days per month. Despite the role these treatments can play in managing migraine, about 35 percent of survey respondents said they delayed seeking acute or preventive treatment.

Migraine’s impact on daily life 

More than 85 percent of survey respondents reported that migraine has had an extreme or significant impact on their family life, work, and daily functioning. With that, 68 percent said they were moderately or extremely worried that migraine would get worse in the future. 

“We want people living with migraine to understand that the disease can change over time, but worsening symptoms are not something they simply have to accept,” said Kylie Gagan, MHD, BSN, RN, Executive Director of Education for the Association of Migraine Disorders. “These survey findings highlight a clear need for greater education about migraine progression and the treatment options available. By helping people recognize changes in their disease and understand when to seek care, we can empower them to take a more proactive role in managing migraine and protecting their quality of life.”

Providing education and closing the gap

While migraine can get worse for some people, it can also improve with effective preventive treatment. Survey respondents said better education about migraine progression, more information about available treatments, improved access to healthcare providers, and encouragement from a doctor or specialist would have helped them seek treatment sooner. 

About The Association of Migraine Disorders

The Association of Migraine Disorders is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living with migraine through education, awareness, and research. AMD provides medically reviewed, evidence-based educational materials and resources for patients and healthcare professionals.

This survey and accompanying blog were created with financial support from Lundbeck. The Association of Migraine Disorders and Lundbeck developed the survey collaboratively.

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• Patient and Clinician Discuss Medical Care

Molly O'Brien
Association of Migraine Disorders
molly@migrainedisorders.org