GSK Consumer Healthcare launches Excedrin Work campaign to raise migraine awareness

WARREN, N.J. — GSK Consumer Healthcare on Wednesday released its national survey findings on the impact migraines have on the workforce. Workplace migraines are more prevalent than many other illnesses including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis – yet the findings report a lack of understanding. The majority of employees who experience migraines at work (81%) elect to suffer in silence, downplaying the severity of their pain or choosing to just "power through."



"Nearly seven out of ten (68%) migraine sufferers feel that their co-workers don't truly understand what they go through since they have never experienced a migraine themselves, making sufferers feel isolated and stigmatized," stated Scott Yacovino, senior brand manager, GSK Consumer Healthcare U.S. Pain Category. "Migraines don't take a day off, and that's why we created Excedrin Works – to ignite conversations about migraines in the workplace and to help bridge the gap between sufferers and non-sufferers alike."



Excedrin is partnering with Danica Patrick to share her personal experience with migraines, help spread awareness and discuss the impact the condition can have at work.



"As a migraine sufferer, I know how tough it can be just to try to function while experiencing one, let alone attempt to work. As a race car driver, my team and I depend on each other every day at the track, and there's no such thing as a sick day," said Danica Patrick. "Struggling with migraine symptoms is tough, but worrying about letting your team down isn't easy either. That's why it's so important for those who don't suffer to understand the impact of a migraine."



Sufferers may choose to hide the impact of a migraine at work since 41% report that their coworkers sometimes don't take their migraines seriously, and more than a third (35%) say coworkers believe they are faking their migraine. Plus, 42% of migraine sufferers have had to debunk migraine myths – such as using the condition as an excuse for a hangover.



That's why Excedrin is continuing its mission of providing relief and empathy for the more than 38 million migraine sufferers in the United States – this time, by breaking down migraine barriers in the workplace.



With so many people hiding their condition, Excedrin is shining a light on the impact of migraines at work by enlisting the help of real-life migraine sufferers with the Excedrin Works campaign. These workplace migraine experiences are brought to life through 360-degree virtual reality videos. Excedrin Works is designed to highlight the negative impact migraines have in the workplace, and empower sufferers to speak up about their condition and educate those around them.



"Migraines are not just bad headaches – the pulsing pain can be debilitating and the associated symptoms, like nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound, have a tremendous impact on people's lives," commented Elizabeth Seng, a New York based clinical psychologist and Excedrin head pain expert. "Migraines can strike at any time, often interfering with someone's ability to work. Excedrin Works was designed to help shine a light into this debilitating illness and give sufferers the tools to have open conversations about their migraines at work."