Physical Anxiety manifested in Inner Ears

[Allthingspink]

All,

I was diagnosed with GAD in 2012 when I was going thru what ended up being a 2 year journey through physical anxiety in my entire body. When I finally found a terrific psychiatrist, my life was saved by her putting me on Cymbalta and Abilify. I was well!!!!! That was 2014. Then, in Jan. 2021, she took me off of the Abilify to see if I could lose some of the extreme weight I’ve gained on the 2 drugs. When I got off the Abilify, the anxiety manifested itself in my inner ears and that’s where I am today, 2.5 years later. It’s a FEELING in my ears, not ringing, no sound at all, no dizziness, no hearing loss. Just the miserable feeling of anxiety—-almost like a frayed-nerve feeling. My psychiatrist retired in 2021 and I’ve been seeing the psychiatrist she specifically referred me to. Neither doctors have ever had a patient with this ear manifestation. I need more help than what the new psychiatrist has been able to provide. Anyone experience this????

[Agora1]

Hi Allthingspink, I use to get the same thing as you. A physical therapist had told me

how the physical effects of Anxiety/Stress/Fear can affect the inner ear canals.

Our body is made up of muscles, even ones we might never think of and that is in

the inner ear canal. When we are anxious or fearful, the muscles lining the inner

ear contract and produce this weird sensation. The way I was taught to release that

tension was to place my thumbs inside the upper part of my ears. Pull up for a few

moments and you should feel the tension release.

I may not be a doctor but learned so much from my Physical Therapist that has proven

helpful along the way. I'm glad you are here with us xx

[Allthingspink in reply to Agora1]

Agora1,

I can’t even begin to thank you enough for your reply. I’ll try it for sure! The weird thing is I don’t have any anxiety/stress/fear in my life that is causing this. It’s just a physiological thing that happens to be b/c I have GAD. Did doing this thumb-in-the-ears thing eventually give you permanent relief? Anything else you can tell me will be soooo very much appreciated. I’m so very tired of living with this. I cry a lot due to the discomfort and the emotional hardship this has become.

[Agora1 in reply to Allthingspink]

Hi dear, of course the crying is a release but on the other hand, it tightens the jaw

muscles which in turn tense the inner ear. Almost like a cycle.

It's hard to explain something that we don't think we have such as anxiety, stress or fear.

Because in all reality even the thought or anticipation in having GAD puts that negative

thought in your subconscious mind. And with that, can come your stance changing to

your shoulders being up to your ears, your neck jutted forward in anticipation. In other

words, you are in the fight or flight stance w/o even realizing it. In being this way,

the muscles in your head,neck, shoulders can squeeze tight and you can get that

tired feeling as if you have been doing exercise. The same for the ears.

Now of course, it is always best to have a doctor check your ears for any physical

issues such as wax buildup or crystals that may form but considering you have no

other issues but this weird sensation it sounds like what I've had with my anxiety

in the past. I really wish you well in getting this feeling under control. Know that it

is not a one time thing. Use it anytime you have this feeling. It can release not only

the muscle tension but the lymphatic fluid as well. My best to you xx