i am new here, but i promise not to be that person that signs up and posts one time. i am glad to have found somewhere i can type, help others and hopefully get some help as well.
seven years ago, i was diagnosed with panic disorder and health anxiety. since then, the panic attacks are few and far between - but my health anxiety has remained. i do not take medications and refuse to do so. my health anxiety revolves around medications (i have had so many allergic reactions in my day so this is why) and seeing a doctor. i haven't taken any medications in well over seven years, not even over the counter. the same goes for visiting a doctor - i haven't been to one in over seven years now.
the past couple of weeks, i have had these...dizzy sort of spells. i'm not talking room spinning, need to hold on to the walls type of vertigo - but almost like a feeling of being on a boat. this does last pretty much all day off and on whether i am sitting, standing or laying down. i am not sure what it is, but it's getting to the point where it's making my anxiety pretty bad. i also sometimes feel like i am sinking into the ground. i saw a few posts on here about people having similar feelings of sinking into the ground, but the comment sections didn't really go into it - they more so went into anxiety, etc.
like any other anxiety-riddled person, i have searched the web and found some posts only to find that nobody ever updates their posts or just lets everyone know what it was, if it passed, what it could be - that sort of thing. i also came across videos on youtube where people say this could be something called BPPV and they have a few moves you can do to try and stop it. i have been doing these moves and nothing has helped. it hasn't gradually gotten better or worse, it's just sort of there and a pain. not to mention, it's causing me to be afraid to leave the house - although i do force myself to do so anyway...just not as often as i normally do.
even as i sit here and type this, it feels like i am sinking into the couch. i told my husband to watch me for 20ish seconds the other night and told him to see if he saw me swaying when i just stood still. he said he didn't see it, but when he went to work, i recorded myself on my phone and stood for 25 seconds and didn't move - but i could see myself sort of swaying in the video.
i would love to hear any feedback from you all here. is this normal? i know a lot of people are going to tell me to just go to the doctor but please understand that with me, that us much easier said than done and i probably won't. about five years ago this happened to me but MUCH worse and it went away after a few months. just hope i am not going through this for months - but again - it was MUCH worse...like hold onto the walls worse.
i appreciate you for answering! thank you!
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greeneyedgirly
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OH, i am not sure how to edit my post - but also wanted to add that i feel like my knees are going to buckle at times. i also should tell you that i am a 36 year old female who is generally healthy, but i am a smoker. (tobacco)
Hi! I’m also a green eyed girly and hypochondriac ❤️ Welcome!
So, first off - yes! Dizziness (those types) can totally be from anxiety. I got it chronically and it stopped once I meditated.
I know you’re afraid of the doc, but a simple blood test can def help navigate anything else. Certain vitamin deficiencies can make you dizzy! Try not to google even that cuz you’ll get nervous. That’s how my health anxiety spiraled.. ugh. You’ll be fine
I totally understand. The more you think about it, the more it happens. Anything else happening? Keep in mind that anxiety can cause soooo many problems. I wish I could ease your worries! Mine got SO bad when my panic disorder arose in February. I was also B12, B1, and vitamin D deficient, so maybe that also contributed? No idea. I was eating way less from my anxiety eating my appetite, so that contributed, too!
I honestly haven’t changed my lifestyle at all over the past several years. And I don’t have anxiety until this happens, so it’s a double edge sword I guess you could say. I honestly can’t think of anything else that’s going on other than this. My BP is totally normal (115/73 on average) my glucose levels are good (yes I check both at home LOL) it’s the weirdest thing but at the same time, the scariest.
Totally! I honestly think it’s the anxiety. I get dizzy just thinking about getting dizzy. It’s seriously the worst! My blood pressure is usually on the lower end (but still in a good range) so I get it on occasion from standing. But yeah, you’re in good health. Dizziness is a symptom of a million things, but I think it perpetuates from your anxiety. It’s awful!
Have you ever done progressive relaxation training? My psychotherapist told me to do it at least once a day. It REALLY helps and puts me to sleep!
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Oh yeah... and the knee buckling thing. Yes. I felt like my legs were stiff and like I was limping. I convinced myself I had a million diseases and after I saw doctors and neurologist... it was anxiety.
Echoing what was said below, too, about ear problems - my bf’s dad was dizzy (mostly vertigo) and it was ear fluid build up. Sinuses can do some crazy shit! The exhausting thing is there are so many reasons for dizziness, and the unknown scares me. And I usually don’t believe the known! A simple checkup should do you good ❤️ Even if it isn’t anxiety (I think it is), it’s def not something serious.
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Ok, I'll make it three. I'm a green-eyed girl too...with anxiety and health anxiety. Dizzy/lightheadedness is pretty much a staple when my anxiety is up. It's part of the "fight or flight" response.
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Yes!! I learned panic creates incredibly physical feelings. Sucks! But it’s normal!
I've been dealing with this sort of thing for quite a while. It is related to my anxiety - that, we know - but medicine doesn't exactly know how it happens. The vestibular system is connected to the brain and is influenced by anxiety hormones. What I've learned is that the reality of the feeling is much different than the intensity of it. I've taken to going on walks regularly, especially when my equilibrium is off - and I've never fallen or tipped over once. This is how we retrain our anxious brains to react to these sensations differently. I hope this helps!
It does. I get this weird feeling in my legs (knees) as if someone’s come behind me and kicked me to buckle my knee if that makes sense. I feel very unstable on my feet and like I said, even when I lay down to go to bed. I can’t get the “motion” to stop.
It is very likely anxiety. I want to suggest that you get your ears checked just to be sure that there's nothing else going on, but I realize that may be more than you want to face right now.
Good response and good suggestion. I confess that I am not an exerciser right now. I have been in the past and feel great when I keep it up. I've also noticed that with exercise, I don't even think about the anxiety and the symptoms go away. But when I stop, they creep back in and sometimes take over. I'm there right now. I know I really should at least start walking again. It's so hard to get motivated but I feel so much better. I think I'm my own worst enemy sometimes. When you feel good it's easy to say f**k anxiety but when you don't, it can have you by the throat.
I hear ya. I know almost for certain that work brought this on. I've been on a huge project for 7 months that is about to roll out. There have been a few hiccups along the way but it's finally about to happen. I'm like OCD perfectionist so when things are going smoothly I'm good. When I hit a bump and it's out of my control, I get frustrated and just want it to work.
This time it's work. This time last year, my boyfriend and I were told, 2 weeks out from closing date that we wouldn't be able to get our home loan due to hiccup in financing (loan servicer made huge mistake). Thank goodness they got in worked out but the roller coaster was a nightmare. We're celebrating one year in the house on May 26th and are stoked!
The weird thing with anxiety is somethings have you so busy and pre-occupied that you don't even think about anxiety but others trigger it and you're back again fighting it.
I have been suffering like this for over a year(if you get a chance have a look at my page) it’s hellish and today I’m really really feeling it.
This is a great forum and you will find some amazing people that suffer just like you do.they also have some great advice😊 always here if you want a chat x
I’ve been on holiday for 7 days so far with 3 days to go. And due to my business at home still functioning I’ve had more stress and anxiety here because I’m out of my comfort zone. I’ve had dizziness , stomach paints , heart palpitations .... it’s all just down to stress and anxiety and it does get better when your relaxed. Trust me.
It will stop eventually. The human body is very complicated when you fight against it. Let it do what it does best. When your a sleep it’s fine and takes care of of it’s self. It breathes on its one , it functions on its own. When we battle our minds we take over its usual cycle. Try to relax and don’t expect a change overnight. It will take time and you’ll see a change over the coming weeks. Work with it and not against it.
Trust me when I say ... it will pass once you accept it’s the awful anxiety. Try and lay down and do some muscle relaxation exercises and some mindfulness. ( I know I thought it was a load of shite too ) but when you have it for years on end you try anything. It works.
De stress yourself and calm your body and senses. Stop thinking about it and hold your head up high to anxiety and the stress.
I feel dizzy as we speak because I’ve had a shit last few hours dealing with stuff and now I know it’s just the stress as I was fine yesterday , last week , last month etc.
It’s very scary but anxiety comes in all kinds of packages !! Accept it and try to move on. Worry is fuel and acceptance is progress !
I’ve definitely experienced this. It feels like it comes out of no where and I literally have to hold on to something. I’ve gotten regular (spinning) dizziness and this is different. I’ve had it last for a few seconds and I’ve had it last for hours on end. My dr. Checked my thyroid but after that came back she was sure it was anxiety related. I started medication maybe about 7 months ago and Its gotten way better. It’s the most terrifying thing though and I can definitely relate. Sometimes it feels like I’m falling (kind of like being on an elevator) and other times like I’m being whirled around. I should also point out that I have a lot of allergy/sinus/ear congestion and my dr did point out it could be a combination of both those issues and anxiety. Feel free to message me and chat anytime!
I hate that too. I try to just close my eyes and force myself to think about something else and then I eventually fall asleep. I always sleep with the tv on, which can be distracting
Hello greeneyesgirly im sorry u are going through I myself have been struggling with this for a year and it’s everyday some days are way worse than other I do have vertigo as well as GAD so my dr says it the mis between the two that makes its worse
I to myself feel like I’m on a boat and swaying to I hate the feeling especially like I’m sinking it’s so scary and this really triggers my anxiety causing me to panic
I recently did these videos on YouTube to help with my vertigo and I see a sight improvement I just wish these physical symptoms would go away they are horrible especially when I’m trying to sleep I feel like I’m moving on a boat and it’s scares me 😟
Hi there - over the last couple of years I had the same symptoms as you. I have always had anxiety (45 yo female) but until 2017 had never had dizziness as a symptom. The dizziness/lightheadedness was bad and very debilitating. My GP requested a B12 deficiency test and it came back as really low. Looong story short, have a look at the Pernicious Anaemia community on this site. I don’t have PA but I (like a huge amount of people) do have an inability to absorb B12 through food, and the symptoms are very similar). As soon as I start to get dizzy or off balance, I know I need a shot. Hope this helps.
Some great advice, already given. I did have BPPV (crystals in ear canal), physio did Epley maneouvers and crystals repositioned, but I had residual balance issues. I have also had anxiety (health) which is most likely main cause of dizziness, but because I had BPPV for so long, I need Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy to improve my balance etc.. Physio also addresses my lifestyle and emotional issues. He encourages me to get more exercises, to do things I would normally do, see friends, be involved with interests, basically distract myself from negative thinking. It's hard to get on with things when you physically bad, but it is about telling your brain/fight or flight response, you're not worried. I can get an immediate adrenaline response from a single fearful thought, that sends me reeling, but it's my body preparing all senses for action/survival. In our case, it's a false flag.
Sorry to hear you’re feeling so bad. Sounds very similar to what I’ve got ATM. I too told my doctor I felt similar to the one time I went on a ferry, however this was an “all the time feeling”, but I also was suffering from really bad vertigo spells 5/6 times a day for about a month. After doing some balance checks and what not he diagnosed me with labyrinthitus, which is now chronic. It has similar symptoms to BPPV, however the maneuvers will not help sadly. The only thing that helped me was going on medication and getting a few weeks of bed rest off work, which got rid of the worst of my symptoms within a few weeks. I too do not like medication, but I could not go to work or see friends or even leave the house so I decided it was necessary. Labyrinthitus can be exacerbated by stress and anxiety (I also suffer from these) so it does seem to fit what you’re saying. If it is labyrinthitus, it is unlikely to go away on its own. I’m now on my 4th month of this, on medication, and I’m still not better. But so much better than I was. Chronic labyrinthitus can last months if not years, so I would really recommend talking to a doctor, which I know isn’t what you want to hear.
It definitely isn’t vertigo. I’ve had that in the past once and it’s for sure not that. It still is horrible but it’s not THAT bad if that makes sense. The room doesn’t spin, it just feels like I’m swaying when I stand still or when I lay down, it feels like my body is moving back and forth or the bed.
I have the same problem !!! Anxiety ! Dizziness all day !!!! Is like being in a boat all day ! I do my checkups every year and they normally come out fine so I think is just anxiety but it scares me every day ! In the morning I am sooooo scared of my day !
But hopefully it will go away once I am not afraid of it anymore .....
How are your symptoms in relation to your smoking? Just to remind you smoking vasoconstricts your peripheral circulation throughout your body. Could this be a contributing factor?
Do you smoke even more when anxiety strikes? It is also said smoking will increase the nutrient demand (vitamins, etc.) your body requires to repair cellular damage.
My friend use to tell me “go to your special place” (in your mind) frequently while he was living. His special place was a beach near Caguas, Puerto Rico where he grew up. It seemed I got anxious just trying to think up a special place, but just recently found when I go into my study it has a very calming effect on me. Go to your special place!
Anxiety can mascarate as almost any symtom, the difficult bit is distinguishing what is anxiety or a non anxiety health issue. You seem to have a good understanding of this. I have had a period to dizzy spells which I still am not sure what caused them, on standing up from sitting I felt dizzy if I paused. Right or wrong I am putting them down to a period of anxiety as it helps me dismiss them as nonsense, so taking this approach helps me ignore them which has in turn diminishes their significace/power and I rarely experience them now. Also lead a healthy lifestyle within reason. Fake it till you make it as they say...Keep in touch.
Have this everyday, all day. Try over the counter Meclizine. Went to the ER for these symptoms 6 years ago and they gave me the Meclizine. My doctors also prescribe it. It is over the counter, 100 chewable tablets for about $4.00. 25mg. You can take up to 4 a day, 6-8 hrs apart. As many times as I've asked my dr's, they say that Meclizine is the 'go to' for dizziness, off balance and swaying feeling. I have it all, all day. Meclizine is an antihistamine and non addicting. You can also try bodine or anything else for seasickness. This is the only med for this sickness. I also have anxiety and take the alprazolam for that. Sometimes these help, sometimes they don't. But the Meclizine is better than nothing! Available at any store or pharmacy. No RX needed.
I also have this problem every day all day sometimes. Even the sinking feeling. I used to describe it as if your dozing off then suddenly awake. It gets bad to the point where my I drop a little. Nothing spins around and I'm not off balance. I don't know what causes it or how to stop it but when I'm doing something and it hits I keep moving or focus on something else. Most times I can feel it coming about so I say to myself you know what if you are going to do this then go ahead. I've got things to do. It hits me when I'm driving also. It still scares me at times but not like it used to. Don't be afraid of it. Your brain can sense the fear which will make it worse and happen more often. I hope this helps
obviously we are not doctors. Yes vertigo and anxiety are an issue. BUT if you dont go get checked you will play this guessing game. Make a decision do you want to think about what's going on everyday or get checked out. The ball is in your court. Do something about it instead of guessing it's a choice you need to make
Talking from experience sometimes people are a little frightened to get checked.its a catch 22.we want to know what’s going on but we are too scared to deal with it.anxiety is cruel and irrational.
LOL, do you respond this way to everyone in this community, or just newcomers? This arena is filled with posts just like mine, where they’re scared of doctors.
UPDATE: just wanted to let everyone know I set an appointment with an ENT for the 14th of this month. I’m terrified of doctors, but he called me back and told me he sees this all the time and not be scared. In the meantime, my dizziness used to be 100% of the time and is now at 10-15% of the time - mainly when I lay down to go to sleep. Huge improvement after stretching and keeping on my feet rather than just sitting slouched over a laptop or cell phone. Thanks for all the HELPFUL comments on here. ❤️ I will, of course, continue to update.
Sure I am scared of Doctors and yes I play the guessing game. But sometimes not going to the doctor is worse I am happy you went. Happy your ok
I have vertigo bad vertigo for over 40 years days I cant function. But I breath easier knowing I dont have a serious issue like a brain tumor. KNOW ING THAT I Can function knowing it's only Anxiety. So if I came on tought it's because of experience.
I haven’t gone to the doctor, but I do have an appointment on the 14th if this month. It was the soonest they could get me in. The dizziness is barely there now, thankfully.
So glad the dizziness has subsided a little for you.must be such a relief! X
I suffer with GAD. i have dizziness which sucks. I use to be a smoker but i quit a year ago Anxiety has got worst with other symptoms also the Nausea i have is no good neither. hope you feel better soon.
Does anyone feel lightheaded/faint unbalanced 100% of the time?and a heavy feeling in the head.this symptom is destroying my life!i can live with palpitations and skipped beats as they aren’t all day.but the head feeling is just horrific x
That’s what I was going through. I honestly think it has something to do with either the inner ear (BPPV which can correct itself within two or more weeks, which I think is what I was having) OR neck issues.
Wanted to update. Never went to the doctor because I didn’t need to. The dizziness stopped once my sleep went back to normal. If it happens again, I’m going.
Good morning. I promised to update. I’ve not had any of these dizzy spells in well over two weeks now. I’ve also been forcing myself to go to sleep at a decent time, getting at least 7-8 hours. If I don’t achieve that, I take naps during the day that’ll add to 7-8 hours. I don’t know what the dizzy spells were from, but I can also tell you that my neck will crack again after a while or not being able to. I’m sure I had some built up tension plus lack of sleep going on. Hope everyone is doing well. I read here on the forums every day, but didn’t want anyone to think I’ve gone back on my promise and not responded or updated.
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HORRIBLE SAD ANXIETY 
Dizziness/unbalanced/sensative 
Sudden dizziness attack
Is dizziness related to anxiety?
