Why Migraine Diagnosis Doesn’t Always Matter

Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett, MD Explains the Truth About Head Pain

If you’ve ever wondered whether your headache counts as a “migraine,” you’re not alone. Surprisingly, Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett, MD, a neurologist with over 30 years of experience treating headaches, believes that the label itself isn’t always what matters.

“I don’t think it matters very much whether or not you have a diagnosis of migraine. I know I’m going to ruffle some feathers here, but there are three main reasons why I say that.”

Let’s break down her reasoning.

Reason #1: The Impact on Your Life Matters More Than the Label

The first reason is simple:

• If your head pain affects your daily life, it matters—no matter what the diagnosis says.

• Many patients downplay their pain, thinking, “It’s not really migraine, so I have to keep going.”

Dr. Barrett says:

“Pain is your body’s way of talking to you. I want you to listen to that pain, just like you would listen to a child who is crying. Give yourself the same grace, respect, and priority on your to-do list. You deserve to live a pain-free life—or as close as humanly possible.”

Key takeaway: Don’t wait for a formal diagnosis to take action. Pain is a signal from your body, and I want you to listen.

Reason #2: Genetics Shows Regular Headaches And Migraine Are More Alike Than We Thought

• A 2023 genetic study compared 100,000 people with migraines to 700,000 people without.

• Researchers examined the DNA for overlaps in genetic patterns that contribute to headaches.

• Surprisingly, migraine and tension headache share a lot of underlying biology, despite the fact that they cause a very different kind of pain experience. 

Dr. Barrett explains:

“When you lift the hood and look under the surface, there’s a lot of overlap. We used to think migraines and tension headaches were two totally different creatures—but genetically, they’re more alike than we thought.”

What This Means for Patients

• The exact label of your headache (migraine vs. tension) may be less important than understanding the underlying systems causing your pain.

• By knowing which biological systems are involved, you can create a targeted roadmap for relief.

“People living in chronic pain are incredibly motivated to get out of pain—they’ll do whatever they need, whether medications, supplements, diet, or lifestyle changes. They just need clarity about what will actually work.”

For those curious, you can start exploring your own genetic root causes at  theheadachequiz.com.

Reason #3: Many People Have Migraines, But Don’t Know It

• According to the American Migraine Foundation, only 5% of people who actually have migraine have seen a doctor, been diagnosed with migraine, and treated with migraine-specific medications. 

• That means 95% of migraine sufferers may be undiagnosed, leaving them without effective solutions.

Dr. Barrett emphasizes:

“I don’t want you to exclude yourself from treatments that could dramatically improve your life just because you don’t think you have migraine.”

What You Can Do Today

If you’re living with chronic head pain:

• Listen to your body: Don’t ignore pain because it hasn’t been formally diagnosed.

• Educate yourself about genetics and migraine biology: Understanding your systems can guide effective interventions.

• Use online tools as a starting point: For example, theheadachequiz.com can help identify underlying causes.

• Take action proactively: Lifestyle adjustments, diet, supplements, and targeted treatments may all help—even before a formal diagnosis.

“Whether or not your pain falls into a migraine bucket or some other bucket doesn’t matter as much as we used to think,” Dr. Barrett concludes.

Summary: Diagnosis Isn’t the Whole Story

Three main reasons Dr. Barrett believes migraine labels are less critical:

1. Impact matters more than the label: If pain affects your life, it deserves attention.

2. Genetics reveals overlap: Migraine and tension headaches share underlying biological systems.

3. Most migraines are undiagnosed: Don’t wait for a formal label to seek solutions.

“You deserve to live a pain-free life, or as close as humanly possible.” — Dr. Amelia Scott Barrett, MD