Does anyone feel lightheaded and dizzy all... - Anxiety Support

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Does anyone feel lightheaded and dizzy all the time with anxiety?

warkie profile image
39 Replies

Ive been suffering with anxiety n panic attacks for 6 months now and its hurrendous,ive only ever had 2 bad attacks but im suffering from the symtoms,feeling lightheaded and dizzy and thinking im going to pass out,i had a bad attack last month while i was driving and now im finding it very hard to drive,when i go into a supermarket or pub i start to feel lightheaded do any1 feel the same as me? xx

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warkie
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39 Replies

HIi. warkie. Very common symptoms of the anxiety state. Yes, it is horrendous but do not be disheartened. Many on this site have had this and many have recovered. You will not pass out, just THINK you will. And there's the secret. It is what you THINK that is causing the problem You fasten on to your thoughts and cant let them go. So you add more fear and so more anxiety. This is called ANTICIPTION and is one of the causes of nervous anxiety and can keep it going. Indeed, it can precipitate a 'normal' person into anxiety. Fear of the dentist; of going to hospital; of a job intervew, or fear of fear itself. You are allowing your memory of how you felt when you last were driving to affect you. That the memory itself will guaratee a return of panic. Have you seen your GP. Reassurance is a powerful tool in recovery. You may need mild tranquilisers on a short term basis just to get you over this hurdle. Do not be afraid to take them. They will help not hamr if managed properly. Tr not to worry and, better still, try and ACCEPT how you feel at the moment. It will pass, but give it time. Best wishes. jonathan.

warkie profile image
warkie

Thanks for the advice,its really helping,ive been to the docs and went to hospital when i had my 1st attack,i had tests for everything and all came back clear,so i know theres nothing physical wrong with me,i have had side affects to some medicines the doc has given me,so ive started going to councelling,hoping that will help me,the feeling is awful and just hope they will eventually go away xx

lisabunny44 profile image
lisabunny44

Hi warkie ive had the exact same problems for 3 months now,the dizzy spells and light headedness are horrendous and frightening...I would wake up at night in a total panic with a cold/hot whoosing feeling going thru my feet to my head and the more i paniced the worse it got this happened for nearly two weeks and at one point thought right this is it im going to die!! BUT as johnathan says you have to accept what you have.. so one night i woke up a thought right bring it on and i just sat up really calm then i did this again and again and after a few nights it got so much easier..dont fight it and learn to breath and remember its the exhale thats important..... Lisa x

in reply to lisabunny44

Absolutely, lisa. Fighting is a natural response and we have to learn not to be fooled by this. I always suggest to look up 'fighting' in the dictionary. Mine says"to engage in combat with". Do we want to engage in combat? I think not. What energy we use up.That is why it is so important to do what you did. And it took courage which you probably did not think you had, did you? It does work, but because there is no immediate effect, we despair. It takes time. Very best wishes and love. jonathan.

warkie profile image
warkie

Thank you so much for the advice,ive just got to keep telling myself theres nothing wrong with me,i dont want it to ruin my xmas especially having a little girl,its the passing out thats my fear xx

in reply to warkie

I have to come back on this. All the time I worked with people feeling as you do I never once heard of anyone passing out. It is the FEAR of passing out that causes the anxiety. I am not minimising how you feel. I had this for years on and off. You WILL have a good Christmas and your little girl will appreciate it all the more if Mummy is well. But you can only do your best, and do not feel guilty if everything is not how you would like it. It's not your fault how you feel! Love. jonathan.

warkie profile image
warkie

jonathan,

Im so happy ive found this website,i feel loads better already,i know ive prob got a long way to go but i feel great,the best in weeks,thanx xx

Pennylayne profile image
Pennylayne

The lightheaded and dizzy feeling is usually brought on by not breathing properly, it's caused by taking little shallow breaths quite quickly rather than slow deep ones.

If you practice the type of breathing where you empty all the air out of your lungs and pause for a few seconds before filling your lungs again and repeat it will help a lot.

It's important to breathe out every single bit of air ...best done through your mouth and then count to 2 and breathe in through your nose until your ribs move outwards under your arms.

Do this slowly in though the nose and out through the mouth if you feel lightheaded until you feel better. PL

kjm1987 profile image
kjm1987

What is the difference between fighting it and letting it pass? How do we fight it and how do we let it pass? X

Pennylayne profile image
Pennylayne

When you feel breathless and dizzy the natural reaction is to fight the feeling. You can probably feel a feeling of fear rising when the dizzy feeling comes. The fear is the stress hormones causing a reaction in your body and that is the fighting part.

To control the feeling of fear and worry that you will pass out the best thing is to let go......let go of the feeling by taking control of your breathing and making that nice and slow and steady.

Our breathing is like a barometer of how we are feeling ........it's impossible to feel relaxed if our breathing is fast and shallow and in the same way it's possible to calm ourselves and feel more in control if we make our breathing nice and slow and even with long breaths out first and then in.

Try to slow things right down and sometimes it helps to say to yourself a little phrase like, 'I feel calm'.

PL

Penny is so right. But may I add that 'fighting' uses so much energy. It is your natural reaction and we must not be fooled by it. 'Letting it pass' does mean accepting it, does it not? ACCEPTANCE with the kind of breathing explained above, can work wonders. Best wishes. jonathan

broonie profile image
broonie

i get the feeling that am going to pass out and it is so frightening at the time .i cant even walk in a straight line because the kerb seems to be swaying a bit . its almost like im useing the adrenalin from the panic to keep myself allert and upright .then my hands go clammy and i bite the inside of my mouth not recoomended as i have bit down a bit to hard every now and then . and i repeatedley clench my fists as i become very aware off my hands and feet. i know it will dissapear but trying to convince myself in the throws of panic is allmost impossible . but from now on am going to try breathing techniques and hope for the best

Pipergirl49 profile image
Pipergirl49

Yea I do as soon as I go in telco or asda etc, it's horrible I have to look down or feel worse

Look into Vitamin D Deficiency

medhelp.org/posts/recovery-...

Dcampbell7654 profile image
Dcampbell7654

i have anxiety and I feel like this all the time but for me it gets worse at the end of the day and also I see like black lines in front of my eyes sometimes and little red dots every now and then

Hcg27 profile image
Hcg27 in reply to Dcampbell7654

This is exactly how I feel.dizzy feeling all day every day but I can walk fine shake my head all that and I'm fine.just FEEL dizzy. I to have like little black lines in my eyes they worsen when I'm out side. It's keeping me from doing almost anything. Don't won't to go anywhere or be around any one for fear of "passing out" even my family. I'm so so miserable. I do therapy,and see a psychologist and am on 3mg clonazepam a day. Don't know what else to do😞

Apw86 profile image
Apw86

I too see stuff seems like being outside I can see it more....my head feels dizzy and lightheaded a lot I think it's the worst symptom of all.🙁

nswitos36 profile image
nswitos36

Hi warkie are you still experiencing diziness from anxiety if not how did you overcome this horrible illness am dying from anxiety dizziness please help

zabee profile image
zabee in reply to nswitos36

How do you feel?

Matt090985 profile image
Matt090985

I had this on and off for over a year. I think I'm over it then it catches me off guard still to this day.mine is my stress levels reach bad then it comes out. I feel funny then lightheaded I manage to stop my panic attacks before it goes bad. I just think about something else. I haven't had it for 4 weeks but last two days not good

Amber000 profile image
Amber000

First rule out everything that can cause this :

MS, tumor, BPPV, meniere , labyrinthitis, and other inner ear disorders , vestibular migraines, cardiac arrhythmia a .. etc if all tests negative ( MRI , ekg, CBC, CMP, thyroid , Lyme , hearing test ) than probably anxiety !

And sometimes it can be a combination of a couple things .. for example with vestibular migraines you might not have any headaches but mainly dizziness .. I was in similar situation with dizziness ( feeling of being drink or on a boat with brain fog ) for 2 years off and on !

I started propranolol , vestibular rehab , vitamin b and magnesium and I feel so much better ! My mind is sharp and clear , I am happy , my dizziness is gone !

I still don't know what was wrong with me . All my tests by neurologist and ent were fine .. they are suspecting a vestibular migraine / anxiety combo ..

don't loose hope ! There is a light at the end of the tunnel

jewlz17 profile image
jewlz17

Actually ive heard its very common for that to happen. it does happen to me but i also suffer from vertigo so it might be a bit different in my case. its not easy but there are ways to handle it. there are breathing exercises i do when i feel an attack coming i always have water with me keep me hydrated if i start getting light headed. i wont lie it doesnt work all the times but its the effort to keep trying that makes difference. hope things get better for you.

Yvonne626 profile image
Yvonne626

Omg I need help I feel the same way lightheaded everyday every time I walk help do you guys feel the same

Missladybird profile image
Missladybird in reply to Yvonne626

Hi ive also come on here to find answers as im typing im feeling off balance ive been to the hospital 3 times had bood tests done ECG been doctors more blood tests and they have all put it down to anxiety its the worse thing ive ever experienced its like im in a constant state of fear that im going to pass out im even worrying about going out i have this dizziness feeling all day long it doesn't go my breathing is normal do you get the same ?

Ashley1489 profile image
Ashley1489 in reply to Missladybird

I thought id let you know this post is 5 years old.... I doubt you'll get a response but I feel the same as you you are not alone

warkie profile image
warkie

I still get it now xx

Ashley1489 profile image
Ashley1489

Does this ever go away

Ashley1489 profile image
Ashley1489

Does this ever go away????? I've had it 4 years

warkie profile image
warkie in reply to Ashley1489

Yeah it does,its very rare I feel like that now

Ashley1489 profile image
Ashley1489 in reply to warkie

How long did it take

warkie profile image
warkie in reply to Ashley1489

Well I've had anxiety for nearly 4 years now so I reckon around 3 and half,its not a nice feeling and hope it goes away for you

Ashley1489 profile image
Ashley1489

I'm almost hitting year five... Glad your better though

mattom75 profile image
mattom75

My lightheadness started 14 months ago after I cold Turkey off of sam-e. The lightheadedness is constant 24/7. I have done tons of research over the past 14 months and all signs say this will eventually go away. I certainly hope so, this is terrible!!! 😢

Litonn profile image
Litonn

Mee.... All the day dizzy, light-headed, off-balance, fatigue from april2018.

Doc told me , its bcoz of my depression nd anxeity ...

Feeling like helpless..... :(

CaraF616 profile image
CaraF616

Yes I’m in same boat I’ve been to docs don’t know what to do it’s affecting every day life for me.

Linn706 profile image
Linn706 in reply to CaraF616

Did you get better?

CaraF616 profile image
CaraF616 in reply to Linn706

Hi there, yes better now just on the odd day get dizzy and lightheaded. Not sure what’s caused it as doctors no interested

CaraF616 profile image
CaraF616

And it’s worse for me as well when I’m driving and shopping or out and about. It’s mental what it does to you

Mariosejdiu profile image
Mariosejdiu

I feel same exact way,feeling drunk all day everyday and pressure on my ears

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