Panic Disorder / Dizziness

[Plant_Vibes]

I have a panic disorder and have recently “relapsed” with a series of continued panic attacks ongoing for about two weeks, sometimes up to four a day. I don’t have a trigger for these panic attacks, unfortunately, they just happen. I’m wondering if there is anybody out there who experiences these in this way also experiences dizziness for extended periods of time after the panic attacks.

I just joined this group today and I’m hoping to be able to connect with people who experience things the way I do.

I just met with my psychiatrist yesterday and they told me that this isn’t typical to experience prolonged dizziness, but I really feel that my psychiatrist might be wrong on this one because with other episodes that I’ve had I do recall having a lingering dizziness sometimes up to a month or so after. Can any of you relate?

[KarlieL3880]

Hi there! I’ve been disoriented and exhausted, the only time I’m dizzy is because I’ve been too anxious to eat or sometimes drink water. Have you been able to eat during the increased time of panic?? I’m the worst for that because I get suuuuppper nauseas when I’m anxious or when I’m in a particularly high level of panic attacks. So I have no appetite and the thought of food makes it worse. I wonder if it has something to do with the constant adrenaline spikes and drops. After a quick google search looks like it’s pretty common. Panic attack hangovers are different for everyone but dizziness says it’s a common side effect. If you’re concerned I’d chat with your fam doc.

[Plant_Vibes in reply to KarlieL3880]

Thank you for your response. I used to also struggle with eating during my attacks, but recently I have been more inclined to eat through them thinking it might help me feel more oriented (which rarely actually works), but I no longer get the nausea and loss of appetite. I’m sorry you experience that. It’s no fun.

I do agree, I think the dizziness could be from all the ongoing spikes of adrenaline. It’s just a bit hard to hear your doctor tell you it’s not normal to experience. I suffer from Health Anxiety so for them to tell me that gives me more anxiety making me wonder if it’s something wrong with my brain or if… I have a terminal illness…. The brain spins so fast, I always just end up at worst case scenario. It’s exhausting. But you’re right, a simple search shows that this can be a common symptom.

[KarlieL3880]

see above

Panic attack hangover

[Heera72]

You’re not alone—many people with panic disorder report lingering dizziness, sometimes for weeks. It could be linked to hyperventilation, adrenaline, or tension from frequent attacks. Trust your experience, and if it persists, consider a second opinion or further evaluation.

[Plant_Vibes in reply to Heera72]

This is just the validation I needed! Thank you for responding. It helps me be worried about one less thing. You’re right, we need to trust our experience and our gut. My psychiatrist may be knowledgeable and I appreciate them very much, but I live in this diagnosis and this has happened with other big episodes I’ve had. I just really wanted to avoid my compulsion to seek out multiple doctors to evaluate this to no end. I’ve been there before, done that… and it’s not a good place to be. Not for me anyway. It’s just so hard when my body has so many physical manifestations of anxiety that I can’t tell what’s “real” symptoms to be concerned of or what are anxiety symptoms. Just utterly exhausting when it gets to that point.

[CalicoKi]

I have had dizziness with a panic attack many times, along with sweating and pins and needles feelings all over.I have health anxiety too, I feel for you.

(((hugs)))

[Aquamarine111]

Hi my panic disorder came back a few weeks ago. I’m on Effexor but it’s not doing anything for me anymore so currently weening off and going to try Zoloft. My symptoms for panic disorder are derealization, depersonalization, light headed, dizziness, and over all I just always have this adrenaline anxiety feeling that won’t go away. I’m hoping the Zoloft will save me. During panic attacks it just feels like I’m going to have a seizure like I don’t have control of my brain if that makes sense. It’s a very scary feeling. Hope your doing better!