portal2themoon's review against another edition
5.0
A must-read for every migraineur, especially women. It’s discouraging to learn that up to 25% of women suffer from migraines, while only 6% of men. The overwhelming lack of research on migraines is undoubtedly related to this statistic. I hope this book empowers others to fight for their sanity in our woefully flawed healthcare system.
“If migraine patients have a common and legitimate complaint besides their migraines, it is that they have not been listened to by physicians - look at, investigated, drugged, charged - but not listened to.”
“If migraine patients have a common and legitimate complaint besides their migraines, it is that they have not been listened to by physicians - look at, investigated, drugged, charged - but not listened to.”
kyra_ann_writes's review against another edition
5.0
This was such an accessible, fascinating, and thought-provoking read/listen. I had no idea that migraine was so complex. I realize now that my previous understanding of it had been very much tainted by dismissive depictions in popular culture. I definitely recommend this book for people who want a comprehensive albeit brief introduction to migraine. This book may just spark another medical history reading obsession.
afardo's review against another edition
4.0
Although this book does not offer a solution it does offer solace in knowing that it isn’t just me. I highly recommend this book for both migraine sufferers and the people who love them. I know it’s hard to understand something you don’t experience first hand but this does a really good job of articulating how frustrating it is being a migraine sufferer.
carolinerandolph's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars. I feel like this audiobook might be useful for people that don’t suffer from migraines, so they can attempt to understand the severity and pain that comes with them. As someone who has suffered from migraines since I was a teenager, I didn’t receive any useful information from this book, aside from the occasional line of validation. It wasn’t super interesting to listen to nor was it informative to me.
t_roth32's review
medium-paced
1.5
Audiobook - The 20 minute tangent on how women were oppressed when it came to migraine treatment seemed out of place. While I absolutely acknowledge this happening, I have to imagine this oppression is not the ONLY reason migraine treatment has not been advanced as far as I can. What about not knowing enough about the brain as a whole? What about outside environment factors? What if there is some truth to the pyschosomatic theory?
juliana_caterin's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
It's an excellent introduction to the topic and raises some interesting points to discuss. It isn't trying to solve anything but bringing awareness to the vast amount of things we still don't know about the topic and how bias impacts the reach and treatment.
It made me wonder: are women more likely to have migraine, or are they more likely to be diagnosed with migraine instead?
A short and entertaining audiobook. I'd recommend trying it.
It made me wonder: are women more likely to have migraine, or are they more likely to be diagnosed with migraine instead?
A short and entertaining audiobook. I'd recommend trying it.
acinthedc's review against another edition
3.0
A short summary of the history of migraines and their medical treatment, including the lack of investment and research and gendered stigma. Konnikova notes that, like herself, most of the researchers she spoke to for this book either suffer from migraines or have someone close to them who does. While I found the book informative, I wanted more substance on the available science. Overall 3 out of 5
redhairedashreads's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
While this is a very short delve into Migraines, it is very impactful and informative. Maria Konnikova dives into the history of migraines, current theories about causes, and why it is still barely understood. She does suffer from migraines herself and talks about her own personal experiences.
This book dives into the reasoning why people still don’t get treatment for headaches/migraines. Doctors rarely listen or care about people suffering from migraines, especially if it is a woman. Konnikova termed a new term for how doctors view migraine sufferers: Frueded. When a man seeks help for migraines history has shown that they will test for multiple things until they can pinpoint a potential trigger, but with women they are more likely to say its a panic attack or just hysteria.
I have suffered from migraines since I was a child. I usually spend about only 5 days a month without a headache or migraine. I have never sought treatment for it because of a lot of the issues that are discussed in this book. I was told when I first started experiencing headaches and migraines that I just needed to deal with it and nothing has changed almost 25 years later. I have taught myself to just deal with it and appreciate the few good days I have.
I really appreciated Konnikova giving her own insights into her life with migraines in between the history. It is always reassuring to realize you are not the only one just dealing with this problem. Also I never realized you could have just a stomach migraine and I am glad I don’t suffer from them.
Overall, while this is only two hours long, I highly recommend it if you suffer from migraines or know someone who does. It was really informative and can help you understand what it means to suffer from migraines or headaches. But just remember, everyone’s symptoms are different and every migraine is different.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
“I feel guilty about even thinking about attending to myself. You power through, not because you aren't in pain, but because it's the only option. Because you'll be met with a complete lack of understanding if you don't.”
While this is a very short delve into Migraines, it is very impactful and informative. Maria Konnikova dives into the history of migraines, current theories about causes, and why it is still barely understood. She does suffer from migraines herself and talks about her own personal experiences.
This book dives into the reasoning why people still don’t get treatment for headaches/migraines. Doctors rarely listen or care about people suffering from migraines, especially if it is a woman. Konnikova termed a new term for how doctors view migraine sufferers: Frueded. When a man seeks help for migraines history has shown that they will test for multiple things until they can pinpoint a potential trigger, but with women they are more likely to say its a panic attack or just hysteria.
I have suffered from migraines since I was a child. I usually spend about only 5 days a month without a headache or migraine. I have never sought treatment for it because of a lot of the issues that are discussed in this book. I was told when I first started experiencing headaches and migraines that I just needed to deal with it and nothing has changed almost 25 years later. I have taught myself to just deal with it and appreciate the few good days I have.
“It doesn’t matter what I eliminate from my diet. It doesn’t matter how I exercise or how I reduce my stress. It doesn’t matter how good I have got at self monitoring, seeing the earliest signs of headache and acting early rather than letting it get the better of me. I keep hearing the promise: Give it time, it gets better with age. But for me, for now, it hasn’t.“
I really appreciated Konnikova giving her own insights into her life with migraines in between the history. It is always reassuring to realize you are not the only one just dealing with this problem. Also I never realized you could have just a stomach migraine and I am glad I don’t suffer from them.
Overall, while this is only two hours long, I highly recommend it if you suffer from migraines or know someone who does. It was really informative and can help you understand what it means to suffer from migraines or headaches. But just remember, everyone’s symptoms are different and every migraine is different.
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.