Are you among the 3 million Americans who is always dizzy?
Recent studies show that about 60 percent — almost 2 million — of chronically dizzy people also have an Anxiety Disorder. In fact, the Anxiety Disorder causes the dizziness!
If you are among these numbers, you may have what is called Chronic Subjective Dizziness. It’s a condition in which there are no physical reasons for the dizziness. You may have suffered from this condition for years without knowing what or why it was. New research from the University of Pennsylvania now has answers for you!
This post details this new research and explains why it is important to you or someone you know who is always dizzy. The subject is explored under these topics:
- What is Chronic subjective dizziness?
- Research on Chronic Subjective Dizziness and Anxiety Disorders
- The results of the study shows 60 percent had Anxiety Disorders
- The relationship of migraines, Anxiety Disorders and Chronic Subjective Dizziness
- The significance of this study on Chronic Subjective Dizziness
- Treating Chronic Subjective Dizziness
What is Chronic Subjective Dizziness?
A medical condition with persistent dizziness
Chronic subjective dizziness is a medical condition in which a person has a persistent dizziness that cannot be explained by medical conditions. It is not related to vertigo, the feeling of whirling that is usually linked with inner ear problems.
People who have Chronic Subjective Dizziness feel dizzy, off-kilter, imbalanced, and are very sensitive to motion stimuli, such as crowded environments or heavy traffic. Jeffrey Staab says, ”
The best way to understand this … is to shake your head back and forth 20 times. When you are done, that is the feeling these people feel.
When people with Chronic Subjective Dizziness enter an environment filled with visual stimuli, such as having to drive in the rain or navigate through a busy grocery store, the dizziness gets worse. “Too much sensation is coming into the brain,” Staab says of the condition, which can be disabling.
Briefly, Chronic Subjective Dizziness is diagnosed by the following physical symptoms and examination findings:
- Persistent sensations of dizziness for a duration of 3 months. Lightheadedness, heavy-headedness, or subjective imbalance present on most days. There is no vertigo.
- Chronic (duration of 3 months) hypersensitivity to one’s own motion, which is not direction specific, and to the movements of objects in the environment.
- Symptoms are made worse in settings with complex visual stimuli such as grocery stores or shopping malls or when performing precision visual tasks such as reading or using a computer.
- Absence of other physical illnesses, medications or factors that might cause the dizziness.
- Radiographic imaging of the brain shows no abnormalities that could cause the dizziness.
- Findings from balance function tests that show no balance problems.
Research on Chronic Subjective Dizziness and Anxiety Disorders
A large-scale study over 6 years
Psychiatrist Jeffrey Staab, M.D., M.S., and neurotologist Michael Ruckenstein, M.D., of the Balance Center at the University of Pennsylvania Health system in Philadelphia studied adult patients with Chronic Subjective Dizziness from 1998 to 2004. They started off with an initial group of about 2,400 patients with a variety of vertigo, dizziness, and imbalance complaints. The results of their study was published in the February, 2007 issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
The study group was narrowed down to 345 subjects after clinicians diagnosed most of the 2,400 patients as having medical conditions that would explain their dizziness. The 345 patients had persistent dizziness, but didn’t have the familiar spinning sensation that typifies vertigo caused by inner-ear problems. The diagnosis for these patients was Chronic Subjective Dizziness.
Besides meeting the criteria for Chronic Subjective Dizziness listed above, Staab and Ruckenstein found that many of these patients had poor concentration and difficulties in their family or work lives. They had experienced dizziness for an average of four years before entering the study.
The results of the study shows 60 percent had Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety Disorders associated with dizziness
Of the 345 subjects in the study, 206 — nearly 60 percent — had Anxiety Disorders associated with their Chronic Subjective Dizziness, and 115 — 33 percent — of the subjects with psychogenic dizziness (dizziness caused by psychological problems) had a primary psychiatric diagnosis with no physical reasons for it. The 115 subjects with no physical causes for their dizziness were diagnosed with the following Anxiety Disorders:
- Panic attacks, Panic Disorder or Social Phobia (65)
- Generalized Anxiety (25)
- Other minor Anxiety Disorders (25)
The remaining 91 subjects had some accompanying medical conditions, but also had Anxiety Disorders. They were:
- Panic attacks, Panic Disorder or Social Phobia (34)
- Generalized Anxiety (35)
- Other minor Anxiety Disorders (19)
The relationship of migraines, Anxiety Disorders and Chronic Subjective Dizziness
Migraines associated with Anxiety Disorders
Interestingly, the rate of Anxiety Disorders among patients in the study with migraine was four times higher than the population average. Epidemiological (population) studies have found that 18 percent of Americans have an Anxiety Disorder, but 77 percent of the migraine patients in Staab and Ruckenstein’s study had clinically significant Anxiety. The 57 subjects with migraine were diagnosed as follows:
- Panic or Social Phobia (21)
- Generalized Anxiety (10)
- Other minor Anxiety Disorders (13)
Joseph Furman, MD, PhD, is a neurologist and professor of otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh and a veteran researcher on the topic. Citing this research, his own research and others’ research, he says,
If you take a close look at people who are dizzy without a diagnosis of disease, the two main things you are going to come up with are anxiety and migraine.
The significance of this study on Chronic Subjective Dizziness
Anxiety Disorder and Chronic Subjective Dizziness connection proven
The idea that Anxiety Disorders or migraines are associated with Chronic Subjective Dizziness is not new. What is new is a large study lasting for a long time that definitively proves the connection. Previously, doctors could go on hunches, but did not have anything definitive to work with. Staab says,
Often, doctors evaluate patients like this for inner-ear problems, treat them, and then if treatment fails, just assume it’s ‘psychogenic’ [having a psychological cause]. … Now we can tell patients that this is not a mystery. We can explain just what causes their symptoms.
Treating Chronic Subjective Dizziness
No specific treatments yet
Treatment choices remain undefined. No big, randomized, controlled trials of treatment for Chronic Subjective Dizziness have been conducted. Some small, open trials have researched treatment in three directions, however:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI antidepressants) have shown some utility in reducing Anxiety Disorders and lessening dizzy symptoms.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been tried in small numbers of patients, so far without conclusive data.
- A form of physical therapy, vestibular balance rehabilitation therapy, is also under investigation.
What do you think?
The case for a strong link between physical and mental illnesses keeps growing stronger. It is well known that the Anxiety Disorders can increase the risk of heart failure, affect the gastro-intestinal system, and can hamper the recovery from cancer and other diseases. Now this new study proves the connection between Chronic Subjective Dizziness and Anxiety Disorders. As time goes on, it is certain that other medical problems will be associated with the Anxiety Disorders.
- Do you experience dizziness? Do you also have a history of having an Anxiety Disorder as well?
- Do you know of anyone who has been diagnosed with Chronic Subjective Dizziness?
- What is your opinion of the link between physical and mental illnesses?
As always, your comments are welcome!
©2008 Anxiety, Panic & Health. All rights reserved.
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Resources used in this post:
Doheny, Kathleen. (2007, February 20). New Clues to Chronic Dizziness. Retrieved November 9, 2008 from MedicineNet web site: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=79520
Levin, Aaron. (2007, March 16). Anxiety Disorders Often Accompany Chronic, Nonspecific Dizziness. Retrieved November 9, 2008 from Psychiatric News web site: http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/42/6/16
Nauert, Rick. (2007, February 20). Anxiety Can Cause Chronic Dizziness. Retrieved November 9, 2008 from Psych Central web site: http://psychcentral.com/news/2007/02/20/anxiety-can-cause-chronic-dizziness/
Osterweil, Neil. (2007, February 19). New Spin on Chronic Dizziness. Retrieved November 9, 2008 from Medpage Today web site: http://www.medpagetoday.com/Surgery/Otolaryngology/5085
Staab, Jeffrey; Ruckenstein, Michael. (2005). Chronic Dizziness and Anxiety: Effect of Course of Illness on Treatment Outcome. Retrieved November 9, 2008 from Migraine-Associated Vertigo Forums web site (PDF): http://www.mvertigo.org/articles/chronic.dizziness.and.anxiety.05.pdf
Staab, Jeffrey; Ruckenstein, Michael. (2007). Expanding the Differential Diagnosis of Chronic Dizziness. Retrieved November 9, 2008 from Archives of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery web site (PDF): http://archotol.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/133/2/170?maxtoshow=&HITS=25&hits=25&RESULTFORMAT=&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=1625&resourcetype=HWFIG
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Dear Sir,
Your comments about anxiety disorder are excellent. Recently due to some personal problems I worried a lot and the same leaded to suffer from anxiety disorder and during that time I felt severe dizziness/lightheadedness and many anxiety symptoms. Then I searched in websites and get to know about anxiety and its symptoms. Now a days I’m not worrying or not feeling anxity but still some time I feel slight dizziness/lightheadedness and I become tired and worried. Please advice if one had anxiety in his history, dizzy spells will continue to occur?
Siva, thank you for your comment!
I’m not a psychological professional, so I cannot give you a definitive diagnosis. But I can give you some information, and the benefit of my own experience.
Although your major problems with Anxiety have passed, it seems that you are still suffering from some of its symptoms. Anxiety can cause dizziness even without other symptoms, especially when you are tired and/or stressed.
But I recommend that you check if you have any inner ear problems, as well. It could be that your dizziness is being caused by a medical condition.
I have had severe inner ear problems in the past, as well as suffering from several Anxiety Disorders. I can tell when the dizziness is Anxiety-related by checking my Anxiety level. I have learned to do this through the knowledge I gained in therapy.
And Anxiety can cause symptoms even when you’re not feeling particularly Anxious. I have developed a pursing of my lips and clicking my teeth which is continual, even when I don’t feel Anxious. I thought it was caused by one of my medications. But just this week I spoke to my psychiatrist about it, and she said it was caused by Anxiety and stress.
So, get your ears checked to make sure you don’t have a medical problem. And I would recommend seeing a mental health care professional for some therapy to help you control and manage your symptoms. It doesn’t take long, and it can last you the rest of your life!
I was so glad to find this article. I have suffered from dizziness for a long time and this past year, more often than normal. I have been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and OCD (not a very bad case). My anxiety seems to be the worst. I take Wellbutrin, Lexapro and my xanax is a very small dose PRN. I have touches of GAD, social anxiety, and separation anxiety. I know that my dizziness has to do with my anxiety b/c it’s at times the start of panic. I have learned to take my anxiety meds when I feel it. There was however, a time where I thought something was physically wrong. When I’m walking into work at times, I’ll feel like I’m going to fall over, I have horrible balance and hate the thought of others looking at me. Your articles are so great and make me feel so much better that I’m not alone out here! ;)
Maria
Thanks for your comment, Maria! And again, thanks for the compliments!
Some years ago I had a serious ear infection that left me with a permanent balance problem. On top of that my Anxiety disorders would sometimes make me very dizzy. And on top of that, at least half of my medications say they might make me dizzy!
So I can really empathize with you. You seem to be very aware of what’s going on and are able to head off some of the symptoms.
I for years have been doing balance exercises I learned when I was having such inner ear problems. They really help. I just Googled “balance exercises” and came up with some likely looking sites, especially the NIH and the Mayo Clinic. You might want to try some of these to improve your balance so that when you do get dizzy, you’ll be better equipped to deal with it.
Hi there.
First of all, let me start by apologizing for my bad English, I’m from Portugal.
I’m 36 years old, and I have dizziness from anxiety since I was 18 years old.
When I was 18 years old, I had a major panic attack following my first (and only) smoke of hashish. It was my first panic attack, I thought I was gonna die, my heart was racing, and felt like I was going to faint or die.
Two days later, the same thing happened while I was at home (no drugs this time).
So I spent one week at the hospital taking exams, and nothing was found.
But since that time, I experienced severe dizziness and there was no physical reason for it, so I consulted a psychiatrist. He said it was anxiety and treated me.
For the last 18 years I’ve been taking medicines (Bromazepam) to control my dizziness (with success). If I stop taking them, the dizziness gets worse.
On the other hand, there are periods of time (sometimes years) where I can take little doses of bromazepam and feel great.
For some reason, there are other times where the doses have to come up (I’m in one of these times right now), as I feel more anxiety, specially (but not only) in the form of dizziness.
Just so you can have a more precise idea, a few months ago I was at a musical concert (seated) and started to feel dizzy, with my heart racing and felt like I was going to faint.
I got up, and I was still very dizzy and nervous.
I got out of that building, and 30 seconds after I was without any of those dizziness symptoms, besides the remaining anxiety from the (bad) experience.
My otorhinolaryngologist says that I don’t have any symptom of real balance disorder, that if it was physical, I couldn’t be dizzy one minute, and almost perfect the next minute, just because I left the building.
Hope this helps anyone feeling the same way.
Rogério
Thank You for the post.
Im a 31 year old male. I had psycho/emotional trauma as a child. I have lots of job stress and two young children.
I experienced my first panic attack about two years ago in metro traffic. I was convinced of my imminent death and called an ambulance from my cell where I pulled over on the highway.
I’ve been experiencing these same imbalance/dizzy symptoms for about 8 months now. I have been diagnosed with Anxiety/Depression. I have taken Zoloft for about a year off and on. It seems to help with the feelings of imbalance and dizzyness, and certainly with the stress and anxiety symptoms.
However, during periods of time when I try to “go it alone” (without meds because I don’t want to feel like I have to live with meds for the rest of my life), the dizzyness returns, along with tension headaches, stress and anxiety.
It also leads me to hypochondriasis. I find myself fearing a brain disorder, or severe heart disorder as an explanation for my dizzyness and balance problems. This of course plays right back into the Anxiety and shuts me down.
I can even stand in one place and move my head even close my eyes to prove my own stability, but when I walk or work at the computer, or have to focus on multiple depths, I feel very unbalanced, like I’ll miss a stair or tip over, though I never do.
Any further advice?
Thanks for the info. It is so nice to not feel completely crazy.
Wow! It’s absolutly incredible to hear from people who have the same issues that I do! I’ve always heard you are never alone in your suffering, but I thought I was. I had never met, or heard from anyone who has the same persistant, lightheaded, foggy, dizzy feelings that I have had for the past 11 years. On a day to day basis it is tolerable, but I have had some prety roughf days. I take paxil and have for years. It helps tremendously with my anxiety,and panic. In fact it all but iliminates it. But this dizzy feeling is something I have accepted as part of me, as so many Doctors have told me there is nothing wrong with me. Ha! I said! I wish you could see the world though my eyes for a moment! I’ve always had a scale for the “weird feeling” 1 being a slight annoyance, 10 being I cant believe I’m still functioning, or, I should probly pull over! Fatigue definatly makes it worse. 6 weeks after I had my daughter I would be in the grocery store and be genuinly concerned that I was going to fall over from being so overwhelmed by all the products, and the people walking about. It was scary. I had no anxiety at the time and thought to my self, there is no reason a health person should feel this disabled! There was nothing vauge about it. I felt like I was in a fun house.I was recently diagnosed with Migranious Syndrome. Eye migraines with an Aura. I was so excited to actualy get a diagnosis. It explained a lot of my visual symptoms but I was’nt convinced it was causing such chronic dizzyness. A 11year migraine? Thats a doozy! Anyway, in my reasearch I found this site. A relationship between anxiety, migraines, and chronic dizzyness. I never thought I’d find what seems to be such an accurate diagnosis for my symptoms. It gives me such great hope! The first step in recovery is identifying the problem. Thank you!
Severe stress and anxiety for a number of years? check
Depression ? check
Strange onset of daily lightheadedness and dizziness? check
Multiple ENT/Neurologist visits that come up empty? check
Finally, I found a doctor in Houston with a magic bullet. TOPAMAX!!! Works really well on my symptoms. Boy can I tell when I miss a couple of days’ doses. Hope it works for you…
i have read your article concerning chronic dizziness. my family has been dealing with an issue pretty much along these lines with our mother. she will be 65 tomorrow (8/6) and has been suffering of chronic dizziness for that last 13 years, which has in turn caused the severe panic attacks. her attacks are so severe that they are calling them tia’s but after the attack is over she shows no signs of a tia. she has seen several neurologists over the years and yet we still have no answers as to what is causing these problems. she has been to the clevelend clinic several times also. it has been difficult to watch her condition over the years. she has what she calls “spinners” she can be standing in her room and one will hit her and within seconds she in in the floor.
i guess my question to you ~ is do you know of a dr in the cincinnati ohio area that specializes in this study? or what kind of tests should i ask her neurologist to run? she has had multiple cat scans, mris, eegs, ekgs, blood work and many others that i cant even recall.
any advice you have will be greatly appreciated.
thank you
im from australia and am totally shocked to have found this article! I have suffered from chronic dizziness for over 2 years. After several doctor visits, neurologists, ent’s, neuro physio’s, chiro’s, naturpaths etc i an yet to get a diagnosis. I never realised that anxiety could be play such a huge part and that there were so many people like me! All the dr’s look at me like im a freak or im lying! Because they cant see it they just palm me off to another doctor. Im only 30 and have 3 young children and was starting to feel like my life was over until i read this article. Its nice to no im not alone and there is hope for recovery! The only thing i want to no is why doctors dont seem to no about it?
All the best to everyone who suffers, its a horrible thing to have
0
2Hshls http://djIjw3MnccVop6a5hFgql.com
This article has been very interesting. Like most with anxiety I have seen 50-75 doctors over the past 10 years. I have searched for reasons why I feel the way I do without a diagnosis. The dizziness you explain seems to fit me well. The sensation that the floor is moving towards me, I am walking in sand, or just a heaviness sensation. Now I am sure that if you are like me searching for anything like this you end up with ; MS, tumor or Menieres disease. It is almost like your brain fights against itself becasue “there is no way anxiety can cause this strange of feeling”. I joke with my family that I could walk in any “marathon for______fill in the blank” because I have thought I have had it all. Anxiety is a stinker, but things that I have found useful; meditation guided tapes, herbal products like valerian, L-suntheanine, 5-HTP, and Peppermint. the herbals seem to be easier on the nervous system than SSRI, or Anti-anxiety meds for me***, massage especially cranial-sacral (seems like anxiety also causes tension in the neck and shoulder blades), reading (keeps your brain occupied), deep breaths, positive self-talk, enough sleep, laughing (really hard laughing), find something positive about your life , Find someone you can talk to (professional help).
Anyways, obviously I don”t have it all figured out otherwise I wouldnt be on the website, but I love the conclusion that there really is a dizziness disorder associated with anxiety.
BTW, I have had dizziness last up to 6 months. Usually a walmart grocery shopping trip ends up with me being dizzy. Elevators are horrible, target, old navy and walmart seem to be stimulant over-loaders. All the times I get dizzy they are associated within weeks of some kind of “trigger”. IE… Ex-husband, kids are sick, school stress, work stress, not enough sleep, financial stress. These things feel like they are handled just fine as they are happening but your bodies ability to process the hormone release from a stressful situation is where the disorder comes in to play (at least that is what I have concluded). I think the anxiety becomes chronic (like with the dizziness) after years of not dealing with it right. It is almost like your body is going to do anything to get you to pay attention.
I have had dizzy spells since I was 2 years old. I am now 31. They visit me about every 2 or 3 months. In worst cases, I am in bed all day because motion and people make it worse. I can be in bed and not “dizzy” but feel nausious. If someone walks in, boom, im dizzy and ussually throw up.
I had very tight abs as a child from all the vomiting and dry heaving.
One episode will last about a week or 2. It peaks, starts light and ends light with a heavy middle. It only starts in the morning and gets better toward the end of the day. except some bad spells in the middle of the “peak”.
I have tried many migraine medicines, had several MRI’s and nothing. Xanax seems to help.
After taking xanax, I realized that I had anxiety issues.
As a child I had social fears. I seemed to overcome a lot of it. But when the dizzy spells come, I have social phobia. Maybe the social phobia came after the dizzy spells because my brain has learned that people or movement brings pain.
any one have these same issues???
Please help
Why did you jump to the conclusion dizziness causes the anxiety and not the other way around? I’m pretty familiar with this study and have followed it from the very beginning, and I’ve never heard a summary of it such as this. Doing further research you will find the most recent hypothesis is that the neuropathways in the brain that control emotion also control balance, hence why most people with CSD suffer from GAD or the like as well. Also there is a proven near universality between those who have CSD and a fear of heights.
err *anxiety causes the dizziness and not the other way around
I was diagnosed with csd by dr Staab 4 months ago. I am trying to get myself to the point of what did not comefirst ….the chicken or the egg….u don’t know its figuring out how to get through this now. Im 22 years old have alot going for me. Med, physical therapy and a councilor. Hopefully with time I will get a handle on this better than I do now or even get so I do not have it anymore. Id like to meet another person with it..im hoping for the best!
Mine started at age 19..but I was still able to drive…it just made working hard. When our baby girl passed..it got a million times harder and I try to deal daily..no drugs(WHY would I want MORE side effects) I always feel messed up daily as it is!
Its a struggle but I will keep up the good fight
Very interesting in talking to either of the two above posters, or anyone, who has this condition as well. I’m a 26 year old male in Arizona who first got symptoms at 19 as well, and when my wife passed the anxiety has become so bad I was seriously contemplating suicide for a while. Luckily that’s in the past but the severe symptoms still remain. One thing I can say is, for years I tried to drink to help escape the problems this disability has caused me, the symptoms, the lonliness, all of it – but it only made my anxiety much worse in the long run. I’m sober now and trying to get a handle on this issue. Also, I’ve been diagnosed b12 deficient and give myself injections which do seem to help somewhat, anyone else able to relate to this?
ANYONE who knows what CSD is like and wants a health/sickness buddy please hit me up.
ronmrutherford AT gmail DOT com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ronrutherford
Look forward to hearing from someone…
i can relate to everyone story.i too have csd/anxiety,also dizziness.man,let me tell you its hard focusing on a day to day life.like work, crowded peoples and specially at the store.i’m constantly dizzy! for no reason even when i dont have anxiety.i feel like a drunk person,even when i don’t drink.and as far as the med.i don’t even take them! why should i?it doesn’t help.all that side affect that they have on it like,(dizziness).i’m already dizzy as it is…i guess the dizziness is part of me now weather i like it or not.
Dear Doctors,
I read your article with interest as I have suffered from dizziness for the last 6 years. I have seen many doctors and been diagnosed with a migraine variant. At first, I believed that the roots of the dizziness were psychological and sought treatment. I don’t believe that an “anxiety” diagnosis is really helpful in addressing the issue. Instead, I would suggest a relationship between hormones and thyroid levels, and anatomical variation. Most of the dizzy folks that I know who suffer without a diagnosis are women in their pre menopause stage of life. While this is a stressful period of life, it is also one of enormous hormonal fluctuation. And, what finally helped me most was a diagnosis of a thyroid disease and taking some supplemental thyroid — though this has not entirely solved the issue. Additionally, my dizziness is highly influenced by diet — caffeine, chocolate, msg, aspertame, salt, nitrates, garlic and alcohol have an enormous impact on my dizziness (which is vertigo). All of these chemicals influence vein restriction, blood flow and fluid in tissue. As a cure, I have tried SSRIs — awful, lyrica – allergic and no effect, meditation, yoga, etc. What really helped was the supplemental thyroid (.025mg), Aleve, massage and weight loss.
Unfortunately, while I do think that anxiety can be another contributing factor to the dizziness – since it can affect retention of water, constriction of veins, tightening of muscles — I do not believe that it is the primary cause. Having suffered and experimented on myself, my conclusions are that my vein is somehow wound oddly around the nerve that goes to the ear — when that vein is “bothered” through stress, diet or physical position, I will get a dizzy spell. This is my working theory though I do not have a medical diagnosis. In effect, it is an anatomical variation.
Finally, supporting my theory, is the finding that many migraine sufferers have small holes in their hearts. This may be related or unrelated, but the small hole in the heart may also suggest other arterial variations that change blood flow to the head in unpleasant ways. I guess in the end, I prefer to search for a physical, mechanical cause instead of relegating the dizzy syndrome to the garbage heap of anxiety.
I would be very interested in your thoughts on my situation.
Hi all,
I just wanted to say that I have had an anxiety disorder since 2000 when I had my very first panic attack. It was only until 2004 that my family physician actually diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which often happens to a number of people who initally experience panic attacks. Over time, the body becomes desensatized to the actual attacks and just becomes anxious twenty four hours a day, even when sleeping. I can only speak on my experience when I say that dizziness, whether it be for the duration of an attack or a constant lingering, is definately related to anxiety disorders. Most people believe and it is true that the dizziness in panic attacks are due to shallow breathing, also known as hyperventilation. However, people suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder also create these types of less obvious shallow breaths because of their anxious state and in turn, experience a type of off balance dizzy senstation, but not true vertigo. Over the years, I have also developed health anxiety, which is common in anxiety disorders. This is because most psychological disorders present with neurological symptoms that can mimic an organic disease and so often, paranoia forms based on these symptoms. For myself, living with General Anxiety Disorser, without being on SSRI’s, my daily symptoms consisted of the following:
1. Eye Floaters (seem to have presented after my initial anxiety attacks and have increased over the years).
2. Off balance feeling when in public places, standing at the bank line, going through a video store, going to a night club, even sitting at the computer brings on anxious swaying sensation.
3. Sometimes, inner trembling. This trembling cannot be seen on the outside to other people.
4. Crawling feelings on the skin, which will only last for a second.
5. Vibrations after long duration of exercise.
6. Feeling numb, but not pins and needles, just weightless. Depersonalization/derealization.
7. Muscle Tension in the upper shoulders and neck area.
8. Feeling as if the ground is rushing up when I look at it.
9. Eye twitching.
10. Random skips of heart beat and chest pain.
These are some of my physical symptoms, however, if you look at the emotional symptoms, they outweigh the physical ones. The most predominent symptom is fear. Fear in the unknown, which is very common in anxiety disorders. I have been referred to every professional in the field, including recently, an ENT. There is no known ear, nose or throat problem and in my specialist’s opinion, “there is nothing life threatening going on”.
I have found that deep breathing, regularly, helps this disorder as well as natural supplements such as L-Theanine. Good sleep patterns also make a huge difference with respect to dizziness and derealization/depersonaliztion. Also, I would recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to also a new way to process symptoms through your brain. Remember, every thought has a physical reaction. Those physical reactions, in anxiety disorder, trigger more adrenaline to be released, and thus the symptom appear.
Sometimes, although we hate to believe, there are often simple solutions to very big problems.
My dizziness seems to have been triggered by a trip away from my home and what is most known to me. I´m a musician and I came to paris for 4 months… I`m two weeks away of returning home and since the first weeks of my stay here I began with a feeling of dizziness, vertigo that hasn´t gone away… i´ve always been anxious and do cognitive therapy back home, a little on the hypocondriac side at times… I´ve done blood tests here in paris, oto.neurologist, MRI, babinsky test, blood pressure, inner ear and eyes motricy all normal and i still search non stop the internet believing i have something wrong, that this can´t just be anxiety, having experienced the symtoms for so long… I search forums of multiple sclerosis and think I have that.. and with the symptoms not going away i began to have trouble sleeping and became nervous, so i started taking bromazepan to have some sleep at night and freak out less… it´s been difficult i must say, would love some support..
love,
daphne
Daphne,
If you have ms, you would know it. You cannot self -diagnose yourself. It would have shown up on the Mri if you did have it. They would have seen lesions that are consistent with ms. You don’t have ms.
thanks sarah, for the reply and cheering me up… I understand what you say and it´s true… my problem is i go on the internet and read that there´s a 5% of people that have ms and it doesn´t show on MRI and I decide to believe that site instead of all the others that say it`s the best test of all, and also the doctors that saw me. I go as far as saying, it was 2 months ago, maybe it didn´t show at that moment…
At times I´m more logic and believe this has to do with psychological and chemical issues (maybe) and search for anxiety instead of terrible diseases. Fortunately I´m returning soon to my country and getting some counseling and maybe medication.
Thanks a lot. Your post with all the symptoms was also of great help.
How are you getting by with anxiety?
Hi Daphne,
You don’t have ms. What you have is health related anxiety, now specifically manifesting as the thought you may have ms. Just because you think you have some underlying disease, really doesn’t mean you do. You have to differentiate between these two things: thoughts and reality. Remember, anxiety causes neurological symptoms like shallow breathing (which causes dizziness) and tingling, chest pain etc. How were your iron levels when you got your last blood test?
yes, thank you again sarah, I´ve been reading about it and it all makes sense…more sense than having MS after tons of tests… My iron levels and all the blood test in general was more than normal. No lesions or white matter at the MRI, no nystagmus nor postural nor ocular anormality at the oto neurologist. better believe it…
Ron
You might want to check to see if you have a rare genetic disorder called MTHFR. I tesed positive for both the a and the c strand of it. It keeps you from absorbing vitamin B. Check the symptoms. I have joint pain, “chronic fatigue syndrom” anxiety & dizziness. Also linked to spina bifida which I have.
It says that you may have trouble having children. I have two kids and My mother had 3 (she has it also).
If you test positive. you should take folic acid, b-6 and b-12
I also want to say that I didnt know what anxiety was until I took a half of xanax.
TO Jim – ya exactly. You don’t realize how bad your anxiety is until you don’t have it anymore.
I believe this is the best explanation I have gotten in 4 years of chasing this dizziness.
which are your symptoms? are they constant?
Who was that comment towards Jay?
I loved the opening information, it described me perfectly.
I have had constant dizziness for at least 4 years now…I went to a variety of doctors and ended up at mayo in Florida and they “guessed” I had bilateral dissient superior canals, but the C-scan did not show it for sure…I had two major surgerys in the last 2 years to “repair” inner ears, well that hasn’t helped and was not the answer….I am now trying balance excercises and just started some blood pressure medicine to treat possible ‘migraine vertigo”. It will take several weeks to see if this helped. can only wait and hope.
ohhh, four years, thats a lot! it´s been four months for me!
do you feel dizzy or off balanced walking or standing also? any other anxiety related symptoms?? tingling? something?
Dizzy is a complicated word….never spinning, just not right, more like seasick. yes, I had a few panic attacks twiching eye and tingling in arms and face, really hated grocery and football stadium.
I think it is fair to say that coping with GAD is within everyone’s capability. I do not mean to be disrespectful to sufferers because in truth I am one of the millions who suffer worldwide. The reality is that our body reacts to what our brain is conveying. eg the well known flight or fight syndrome of the caveman fleeing the prehistoric monster. It is so easy to say but the control between brain and bodily actions is paramount in this problem.
Jymmy Washington
antianxiety-drugs.com
I have been suffering from pretty much daily chronic dizziness for the past 9 years. In 2006, I had an MRI of the Brain, 48 hour Holter Monitor, E.N.T. Consult, Echocardiogram, just about every lab test under the sun, Neurology Consult, etc. The dizziness is most pronounced when I’m standing up trying to have a converstation with someone and while I’m at work. I have also noticed that I have a hard time making it through the National Anthem standing up at sporting events due to the severity of the dizziness. I have experienced about 4 significant panic attacks in the last 5 years as well. Rapid head movements and moving in circles seem to sometimes exacerbate the symptoms as well as being in grocery stores, the mall, Walmart, Kmart, etc. I started on a SSRI (Celexa) about 3 weeks ago after talking with my family doc about Chronic Subjective Dizziness. I have also been taking Xanax fairly regularly albeit in small doses especially when I feel “panic” symptoms. The funny thing is, after I drink about 2 to 3 or more beers, the symptoms dissapear and I feel great. The bad thing is that hangovers and poor sleep seem to exacerbates the dizziness. Generally, when I am working on my property cutting wood, snow skiing, working out on the elipitical, hiking, hunting, etc., I am asymptomatic. I have been playing Racquetball for years and for the first time about a month ago, I was playing in a competetive game of singles and got so dizzy I stagggered off the court. My doc told me to lay off the Racquetball for a while. I work in the health care industry so this is very frustrating to me, especially after 9 years of dealing with it. I would appreciate anyone who can shed some light on this. I would love to eliminate dizziness as almost a part of my daily life.
This definitely true!! I got very upset one particular night and I was crying, and my chest was hurting and I just thought I was dying. The next day I got up and I almost fell. I was so dizzy and off balance. I went to the ER, they did a CT which came back normal and they diagnosed me as having Migraines to which they prescribed Lortabs… which did nothing but made me sleep. Woke up the next day, still dizzy, whent to see my own private MD. He prescribed Meclizine…which did nothing, called him back, he prescribed Klonopin…which did nothing. After that I went and had an MRI with contrast done…which came back normal. This went on for almost 3 weeks…. Finally I asked my dr to prescribe me something for anxiety…bc I had been reading that anxiety could cause the symptoms I was having. So my dr prescribed me Xanax 0.25mg every 6 hours and I tell you, 30 minutes after taking the first one, I started to feel better! Who would have thought that anxiety could make you feel the way I had been feeling. My dr still wants me to see an Ear, nose and throat specialist which I am, but I think this is truly anxiety related.
This definitely true!! I got very upset one particular night and I was crying, and my chest was hurting and I just thought I was dying. The next day I got up and I almost fell. I was so dizzy and off balance. I went to the ER, they did a CT which came back normal and they diagnosed me as having Migraines to which they prescribed Lortabs… which did nothing but made me sleep. Woke up the next day, still dizzy, went to see my own private MD. He prescribed Meclizine…which did nothing, called him back, he prescribed Klonopin…which did nothing, I was then prescribed Prednisone…which did nothing… After that I went and had an MRI with contrast done…which came back normal. This went on for almost 3 weeks…. Finally I asked my dr to prescribe me something for anxiety…bc I had been reading that anxiety could cause the symptoms I was having. So my dr prescribed me Xanax 0.25mg every 6 hours and I tell you, 30 minutes after taking the first one, I started to feel better! Who would have thought that anxiety could make you feel the way I had been feeling. My dr still wants me to see an ear, nose and throat specialist which I am, but I think this is truly anxiety related.
I have been dizzy for 9 years non stop and I mean non stop…. I have had every test under the sun done on me… It’s just started to get really bad again this past year… I can’t leave the house or do anything anymore like this. I have been told it’s anxiety, but now I am getting so many more symptoms with it… panic attacks. shaking. disorentation. derpersonization. derealization. confusion. tingling. numbness. itchy all over. crawly all over. heart racing non stop for days. flutters in the chest. headaches. tierdness. heavy head. shortness of breath. IBS. nausea/indigestion 24/7. spaciness. spots in vision. loss of appetite. loss of emotion. depression. I swear the list goes on and on…. I wan’t so bad to get better… but I don’t know what to believe. Is this really anxiety???????? I hate life like this. I dread waking up to it everyday! I know i have anixety, but can it really make someone feel dizzy and awful every single day for 9 years? Could the doctors b missing something? Should i have more test done? Plz give me some advice plz!