In 2024, over 10 thousand people across the UK took part in My Neuro Survey, the largest patient-led survey of people living with neurological conditions carried out by the Neurological Alliance. People living with migraine were included in significant numbers, representing over 10% of adult respondents, providing a vital opportunity to hear directly from those whose voices are so often missing from national conversations.  

Thank you to everyone who added their experiences. 

The reality of migraine 

Migraine is not “just a headache.” It is a complex neurological condition that affects around 10 million people in the UK. It can cause symptoms such as intense pain, nausea, visual disturbances, dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog, often lasting for days. But beyond the symptoms, My Neuro Survey revealed how deeply migraine affects every part of life. 

Here’s what the data tells us: 

• 60% of people with migraine said their condition impacts their ability to work or study “very much” and 46% have had to stop working entirely because of it 

• 41% said migraine severely affects their mental health 

• 27% are struggling financially due to the condition 

• Over 50% say migraine has a major impact on their ability to socialise or do the things they enjoy 

• 43% said they’ve experienced discrimination in the workplace 

• Only 1 in 5 felt supported by the health system 

Compared to other neurological conditions, migraine stands out as one of the most debilitating across several factors including pain, fatigue, cognitive function, mental health, and impact on daily life and work.  

Migraine doesn’t exist in isolation 

Another key finding was the high level of comorbidity — that is, other health conditions experienced alongside migraine. 

• 55% of people with migraine also reported having a mental health condition – mirroring the findings of our own research where 55% said migraine had had a significant impact on their mental health and 34% had had thoughts of suicide 

• 51% had at least one other physical health condition 

This matches what we hear regularly at The Migraine Trust. Migraine often overlaps with a wide range of physical and mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia and, endometriosis— yet care is rarely joined up. People are bounced between specialists, left to coordinate their own care or, worse, fall through the cracks completely. 

This is not acceptable. 

Why does this matter? 

Because this is not how it has to be. With the right treatment people with migraine can live well with it — but only if they are believed, supported, and given access to the right care at the right time. 

When nearly half of people with migraine feel unable to continue working, that’s not a personal failing — that’s a systemic one. 

When only 20% feel supported by healthcare services, that’s not acceptable.
When 43% have experienced workplace discrimination, that’s a call to action. 

This survey gives us the evidence we need to demand better. To advocate for: 

• More consistent and timely access to migraine treatments, including newer therapies 

• Joined-up care for people with migraine and other chronic conditions 

• More training and awareness among healthcare professionals 

• Better support in the workplace, including reasonable adjustments 

• Tackling stigma through national public health messaging 

What this means for people with migraine 

If you live with migraine, these survey results might not surprise you — but it should validate what you already know. You are not alone, and you are not imagining it.  

We know that people with migraine are often excellent at pushing through. You put on a brave face at work. You apologise for cancelling plans. But that doesn’t mean your pain should be ignored. You deserve better care, more understanding, and fewer barriers. 

What this means for family and friends 

If someone close to you lives with migraine, the most powerful thing you can do is believe them. This isn’t “just a bad headache.” It’s a neurological condition that can be unpredictable, exhausting and overwhelming. 

Ask what they need. Be patient when plans change. Learn about their triggers. And know that showing empathy, rather than trying to fix it, can make a big difference. 

What’s next?

This data is a reminder that migraine is not a niche issue. It’s one of the most common neurological conditions — and one of the most disabling. 

We know that getting the right treatment and care for migraine can be a challenge. Too often we hear from people who have had their symptoms not understood or who have felt dismissed, have sat on waiting lists or struggled to access appropriate treatment. 

At The Migraine Trust, we’ll be using these results alongside the Neurological Alliance to continue pushing for change — in policy, in healthcare, and in workplaces across the UK. 

We’re calling on: 

• Government to recognise migraine as a serious health and economic issue, including as part of the pending NHS 10 year plan 

• People with migraine to get the right care at the right time  

• Employers to provide flexible working and reasonable adjustments 

We’ll also continue to provide resources and support to help people with migraine navigate their condition, feel less alone, and speak up for what they need. 

My Neuro Survey was carried out for the Neurological Alliance by Revealing Reality, between July 2024 and November 2024, using online/telephone channels and self-selected questionnaires available at certain clinics and on request across the UK