"Dear Migraine...."
I want to write a letter to my Migraine.
"Dear Migraine Beastie..."
Hmmm. That's where I get stuck.
I've wanted to do this for a long time. I've never quite gotten 'round to finishing it though. I begin, but the brain fog takes over and I can't get through it. I think it would be cathartic for Migraineurs to do this though, and it might even give some insight to non-migraineurs as well:
What is our experience like?
What does it feel like to live with Migraines?
What are the deep dark thoughts we keep hidden?
I wonder if reading a "Dear Migraine" letter would give our doctors more insight into our experience and perhaps lead to better treatment... or worse. Hmm.
As Health Activists and Migraine leaders, have you written a "Dear Migraine" letter? Have you discussed them in your communities?
Here is one I found on Life as Lou. Short. Sweet. Direct. And this is another at Lady Hawthorne's blog. Please share your links with us, I for one would love to read yours!
Do you think a "Dear Migraine" letter is a helpful idea, or do you think it could cause more emphasis on furthering the negative thoughts and feelings that cause depression and anxiety?
I did write a letter to my thyroid years ago. It's been long misplaced in a cover-less lined notebook in a box somewhere, but here is a collection - nay, a veritable plethora - of examples of letters to patients' thyroids. Some of them use fairly colorful metaphors, so you might want to be sure you're the only one viewing your screen. Those who suffer thyroid disorders should be careful however, as young ones are likely to come running in as they hear you laughing at some of the entries, and crying at others. (I've even been known to utter a loudly exuberant "YES!" at times, sending poor hubby over the back of the couch to see if I'm okay!)
Would you encourage your communities to write a "Dear Migraine" letter? If you do, I hope you'll share a link to the discussion with us here too, and anyone who would like their letters (and links) included in my little "Dear Migraine..." blog, paste a copy here and I'll be sure to add them!
"Dear Migraine Beastie..."
Hmmm. That's where I get stuck.
I've wanted to do this for a long time. I've never quite gotten 'round to finishing it though. I begin, but the brain fog takes over and I can't get through it. I think it would be cathartic for Migraineurs to do this though, and it might even give some insight to non-migraineurs as well:
What is our experience like?
What does it feel like to live with Migraines?
What are the deep dark thoughts we keep hidden?
I wonder if reading a "Dear Migraine" letter would give our doctors more insight into our experience and perhaps lead to better treatment... or worse. Hmm.
As Health Activists and Migraine leaders, have you written a "Dear Migraine" letter? Have you discussed them in your communities?
Here is one I found on Life as Lou. Short. Sweet. Direct. And this is another at Lady Hawthorne's blog. Please share your links with us, I for one would love to read yours!
Do you think a "Dear Migraine" letter is a helpful idea, or do you think it could cause more emphasis on furthering the negative thoughts and feelings that cause depression and anxiety?
I did write a letter to my thyroid years ago. It's been long misplaced in a cover-less lined notebook in a box somewhere, but here is a collection - nay, a veritable plethora - of examples of letters to patients' thyroids. Some of them use fairly colorful metaphors, so you might want to be sure you're the only one viewing your screen. Those who suffer thyroid disorders should be careful however, as young ones are likely to come running in as they hear you laughing at some of the entries, and crying at others. (I've even been known to utter a loudly exuberant "YES!" at times, sending poor hubby over the back of the couch to see if I'm okay!)
Would you encourage your communities to write a "Dear Migraine" letter? If you do, I hope you'll share a link to the discussion with us here too, and anyone who would like their letters (and links) included in my little "Dear Migraine..." blog, paste a copy here and I'll be sure to add them!
Tags: dear migraine, letter, migraine, thyroid
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Amy K on -
Ellen,
I think this is a fabulous idea... I can't tell you how many times I have seen and heard of this type of exercise being used as a therapeutic tool for people to safely work out anger and emotions we so often keep hidden. I can see the concern for a focus on negativity, but I think if one is in a negative place, the act of relieving it could be beneficial. Also, even if not in a negative place, you can use the opportunity to explain rationally and calmly how it feels to be plagued by these kind of conditions. If a person spent each and every day writing letters to their challenging circumstances, it might be quite likely that it would greatly effect their disposition, but used in this manner that you seem to be speaking of, I think it would be healing and helpful!
Considering writing a letter myself to my friend Fibromyalgia or perhaps to dear old Depression...will keep you posted!
Thanks for the great topic.
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Permalink Reply by Betsy B on -
I think this is a wonderful idea, too, Ellen. In all these years, I have never really done this -- I have always analyzed and written about migraine in edited formats, not raw emotional feelings such as I might express in a Dear Migraine letter. I'm going to give this further thought and try it as soon as I can. But I'm not sure I would share my results with anyone else! :)
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