Motivational Interviewing (MI) is particularly valuable for migraine when ambivalence about change is blocking recovery.
Ambivalence in Migraine
People with migraine are often ambivalent about change — part wants relief, part fears the unknown of being without familiar migraine patterns. This is normal, not resistance.
How MI Addresses Migraine Ambivalence
MI uses specific techniques to help people explore and resolve their ambivalence about migraine treatment:
- Reflective listening: Hearing and naming both sides of migraine ambivalence
- Decisional balance: Exploring pros and cons of changing vs. staying the same with migraine
- Evoking change talk: Drawing out the person's own reasons for addressing migraine
- Affirming strengths: Highlighting past capacities relevant to migraine recovery
MI in Migraine Treatment Settings
MI is integrated into many migraine treatment approaches as an engagement tool. It's particularly useful at the beginning of treatment and when motivation fluctuates.