Anxiety vision

Posted , 6 users are following.

Does anyone have issues with their vision? I had a migraine with aura for the first time two months ago. I never heard of an aura before, so when I began experiencing a blurry spot that grew until it changed into bright flashes of color and triangles covering my entire field of vision, I panicked. I don't mean a little wave of anxiety...I full on panicked. The episode lasted 30 minutes and the entire time I thought something was desperately wrong. Needless to say, I haven't recovered. I have had two more auras since the first. I am now obsessed with whether or not another one will occur. I swear I have PTSD.

Here's the thing... Since the aura, I have had many visual disturbances (blurry vision, static, flashes, light sensitivity, after images, jumping patterns, etc.). I have seen all the doctors and had all the tests...all normal. I was diagnosed with persistent migraine status. I just don't know though. How could someone have a migraine for 2 months straight? Is it possible it's anxiety?

0 likes, 20 replies

20 Replies

Prev
  • Posted

    HI Staci,

    i have suffered from opti migraines for 19 years. i do not get the headache, just the aura light show. same as everyone else.. lasts 20-30 minutes i have to stop whatever i am doing and just close my eyes and ride it out. first several times i was petrified it truly is a scary experience. but after so many years of getting them , i have learned how to handle it and keep calm. anxiety and stress can help bring them on. i suffer terribly from health anxiety but i have learned to deal with this issue and refuse to let it stop my life. i get enough advance warning that it is starting and i tell work and they let me go to a quiet place to let it pass. i have never been driving and had one and i hope I never do, but if i did i would just pull over until it passed.

    this is a very common condition, you will not go blind and you should not let it stop your life!!!! thats anxieties goal and i plan on going down fighting!!!!

    • Posted

      I agree with lindalou60. I always catch them and had time to pull over or whatever until they pass. The first symptom for me was thinking that I had seen something out of the corner of my eye. Then few minutes later a small dot would appear like if you stared at a light bulb. That dot would slowly grow but at the dot stage I know what is coming and prepare. Normally I have about 10 minutes of time to do something at the small dot phase before my vision really becomes impaired.

    • Posted

      Thank you for replying! 19 years...oh, my. I don't know how you have endured. It's common? I asked everyone I know and they all look at me like I am crazy. No one has ever heard of it before and neither had I (43 nearly 44). How often do you get them? I am fairly certain mine are linked to hormones. I started getting menstrual migraines about 7/8 years ago. When I had my first aura, two months ago, I went to the neurologist and had a CT Scan as well as an MRI. He said he sees many women my age who first start to get migraines with auras. He also said things should settle down once I am through with menopause. fingers crossed

      Unfortunately, I do not have a job that I can step away from as needed. I am (was) a teacher. There isn't even time to go to the bathroom most days, let alone have a random 30 minute break.

      I didn't have anxiety prior to two months ago. I was an independent working woman, now I am practically housebound and scared to be alone. I was so frightened by the experience, that I have PTSD. I know it may seem silly, but it changed my whole life. Now, I am scared and lonely and depressed. I spend every minute of the day checking my vision and looking for an aura. Any slight thing in my vision, I panic. It has made my life incredibly small.

  • Posted

    Are you Facebook there a group called vestibular Migraine Community ? you can join message people like you. Put your feet together close your eyes is what happens l bet you start swaying .

  • Posted

    Are you Facebook there a group called vestibular Migraine Community ? you can join message people like you. Put your feet together close your eyes is what happens l bet you start swaying .

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.