Split second dizziness : Hi all, I suffer... - Anxiety Support

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Split second dizziness

TMM182 profile image
29 Replies

Hi all,

I suffer from anxiety. It has gotten much better as I force myself to do things that I dread and rather not do.

What I am wondering is if anyone gets this next symptom of anxiety (if that's what it even is).

I was looking down at my phone while sitting and I got this split second pulse/jerk/dizzy sensation in my head. Feels like a push on my head. I feel like a visually black out for a split second (I don't actually black out). Iv had this in the past but this time it was very bad as I threw my arms out as if I was falling (but i wasn't). I have had this before same circumstance with looking down at phone while sitting or laying down.

I am wondering if this is a symptom of anxiety or maybe vertigo? It's very scary and so many thoughts are racing through my mind

All of this literally happens in a second. needless to say my anxiety is through the roof now thinking its brain tumor (standard anxiety fear LOL)

Thanks

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TMM182 profile image
TMM182
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29 Replies
Agora1 profile image
Agora1

TMM182, I've never heard anyone else explain this feeling so accurately. Yes, I have gotten this many times over the years. It is one of the most frightening and helpless feelings I've ever experienced. Sitting at the computer or table and feeling this split second rush go through your head like a black out. Arms extended to try and catch yourself. I have never gotten an answer that satisfied me which doctors said could be a sudden drop in blood pressure. I don't really buy it. I do know that my blood pressure zooms up pretty high after the fact (which is normal with fear). It shakes me up so much that you can't do anything in that split second to avoid it. Leaving you worn and scared after is when I use meditation and deep breathing to try and restore my confidence that I will be okay. My thoughts on this is that it is coming both from the back of the head and ear muscles being extremely tight from anxiety. All of a sudden there must be a release of the spasm causing this rush of blood in the head for a second. I've had my share of MRIs and CT scan, results anxiety. Hope this helps.

jrcnpg profile image
jrcnpg

This sounds like a blood pressure problem to me having suffered from fluctuations in blood pressure myself for quite some time now. I would visit your GP or walk in centre (if you can find one, that is !) to have your blood pressure checked. Since it is a problem for me and since I need blood pressure readings to present to the consultant at the end of each month because I am diabetic, I invested in a blood pressure monitor from Llyods chemists. It cost £25 which is not a fortune to give peace of mind. It is exactly the same model both my GP and consultant use and they both applauded my investment for that is what it is.

KimMc2002 profile image
KimMc2002

You described that so well! I always say it feels like someone tips the room really fast. And it always happens to me when I'm sitting doing something. I've never had this happen when I'm standing. So I'm wondering if it's an inner ear thing? It does make me instantly panic though. I hate it.

TMM182 profile image
TMM182 in reply toKimMc2002

thats what my mom believes it may be too....only happens when I am laying down, or sitting down looking down or at a computer screen.

Queen_bee79 profile image
Queen_bee79

Yes this happens to me too!!! 😁

mdburg profile image
mdburg

Yes! Me too.

AnxiousSince1998 profile image
AnxiousSince1998

I get it often too. Sounds like I'm not alone.

Dottiepins profile image
Dottiepins

I know this is an older post, but it was nice to see that I am not alone. this symptom doesnt really set off a panic attack like it used to, but still wonder what causes it. I feel like it comes from tight neck muscles. I notice it more when I my neck is really stiff and tight. Always when looking down and reading my phone, on my laptop, or lying in bed and trying to look at something.

Has anyone gotten any answers or are you just living with it? I have to mention that I have had this for years now.

Froeschli profile image
Froeschli

I get those too and yes it is just a split second. I am not really worried about it except for when it happens when I am driving. It feels like I am going to lose control of the car, which I never have, never leave the lane either, but still a bit scary having a car load full of kids. My doctor thinks it is Benign Positional Vertigo, and given me a you tub video to watch that shows the Epley maneuver and how to do that. Apparently there is a little crystal in my inner ear that moves and makes my brain think I am moving when I am not..... I tried the epley maneuver today, so hope that did it and my dizziness is gone. Can't say for sure unless it keeps on happening, then I know the maneuver did not do its trick.

Tapon020 profile image
Tapon020 in reply toFroeschli

Same thing happened to me... now scared of driving due to this :( did you get any answer ?

Lokidosi profile image
Lokidosi

This happens to me about 20 times s day for no reason, just split second dizziness no matter if I'm anxious about anything that moment, happens if I'm sitting or standing

Mkate88 profile image
Mkate88 in reply toLokidosi

Have you ever been to the dr about it? It's been happening more often to me and once it happens, even thought it's literally a split second I then start having awful anxiety. I keep thinking it's a brain tumor (I have horrible health anxiety) or something serious.

Catoe67 profile image
Catoe67 in reply toMkate88

If it helps, I have panic disorder and have these symptoms. I had the same fear as you, so I had a ct scan done and it came back clear, I actually have a cyst on my brain since birth that I didn't know about until the scan and its in no way life threatening or symptomatic. They did notice that my neck muscles were extremely tight and that could be causing it. I have a friend who doesn't have diagnosed anxiety but his work life was extremely stressful and he would full on collapse due to the tightening of his neck. He got a new job and dealt with his stress and it has went away completely.

I've read that if this occurs in the same general time frame it's likely due to stress. This happens to me around 1 or 2 am and thats when I'm playing games and laying down so my neck is at a angle which probably isn't helping. Us looking down at our cell phones is likely contributing as well.

I'm no doctor but this is my experience. Feel free to go to the ER. Don't mention anxiety, they should do the scan as a precaution but you're more likely suffering from stress regardless if you notice it, like me.

I'm a 23 year old male fyi.

ImGood profile image
ImGood in reply toLokidosi

It happens to me the same way, since 2012. Had MRIs done to my head and all kind of tests, everything normal, I just learned to live with it, some days are more intense than others, that's about it.

Sacolucci profile image
Sacolucci

I get this too, feels like a rush of adrenaline, like you are about to spin

Aliciar profile image
Aliciar

I've been having something similar to this the past 4 days. My anxiety was at its worst normally around that time of the month. I thought it was due to changing meds and anxiety. It's unnerving bc I think what's causing this and why is his happening thankfully it's seemed to claim down some

donapepa profile image
donapepa

This also happens to me every now and again and for some reason only when I'm sitting down. Mostly when I'm on my laptop and lasts for a second or shorter, freaks me out lol.

Zombie7321 profile image
Zombie7321

This is happening to me now! How are you guys are managing it?

Amic91 profile image
Amic91

Been having the same feeling since this past weekend for the first time. I’m 25 with severe anxiety and CIRS. It’s a freaky feeling I sit on my bed looking at my phone and it happens like I feel that I’m falling while simultaneously spinning. It’s a weird feeling for sure but doesn’t make me more anxious for some reason.

Krn210 profile image
Krn210

Yes!!! This happens to me periodically! Sometimes it doesn’t scare me too much and I am able to talk myself out of panic immediately. Other times it will hit me just right and the panic sets in.

Ramki1 profile image
Ramki1

Same problem for 3 years, split second black out while doing some work on the computer and sometimes happens when I turn my head. Real scary part is, if it comes while driving the car. I doubt its due to some pinched nerve around neck but not sure.

s_nikole3779 profile image
s_nikole3779 in reply toRamki1

Have you found any relief to this? I’ve been dealing with it for a few months and doc doesn’t have a clue what is going on with me...says my neck isn’t tight but my shoulders are incredibly tight!

Ramki1 profile image
Ramki1

Pinched Nerve exercise - youtu.be/k6XM91jCRHY

Has anyone found out what causes this? I’ve been getting it lately and it’s scaring me in fact I googled it and this is what popped up and I was like thank god im not the only one!

therealgist profile image
therealgist

Did anyone find out then cause of this? It's really badly affecting my life

Olive_chrandr profile image
Olive_chrandr in reply totherealgist

I’m suggesting that a look into cervicogenic vertigo/dizziness is done. A chiropractor specifically can assist with this. I wholeheartedly believe this is what I have so I am consulting with my vestibular physical therapist and then making an appointment with a chiropractor. I hope this helps someone.

Olive_chrandr profile image
Olive_chrandr

I know this post is very old, but I’d suggest that a look into cervicogenic vertigo/dizziness is done. A chiropractor specifically can assist with this. I wholeheartedly believe this is what I have so I am consulting with my vestibular physical therapist and then making an appointment with a chiropractor. I hope this helps someone.

I am currently experiencing this. I appreciate all the descriptions in this thread. It is certainly hard to describe! Has anyone found a solution?

RoQDad profile image
RoQDad in reply togingerbreadlatte1

I would love to know of a solution too. I've been experiencing it since last November and thought it was a covid side effect. It's now happening daily sometimes multiple times. I'm being sent to a cardiologist next week to follow up. I have high blood pressure and a "weird" ekg test so my doctor wants to make sure before he just tells me it's another one of my fun anxiety issues. I know it's not nice to say, but it gives me comfort to find out others experience this. I had a difficult time describing it to my doctor. "It's like I'm dizzy but I'm not dizzy or like I black out but I don't black out or it's like a sudden pressure but not pressure but it all happens in less than a second."

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