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Dizziness related to anxiety?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Lisa362
Lisa362

Hi everyone,

I was wondering if anyone on here with anxiety has suffered with bouts of dizziness?  It's just that for the past couple of days I've been having dizziness it only lasts a matter of seconds but it is really frightening me.  It seems to happen when I am in bed if I sit up quickly or if i turn my head quickly the room starts to spin.

Does anyone know if this could be anxiety related as I am frightened that it could be a sign of something more serious like an impending stroke (I'm 36 years old).  I had my blood pressure checked recently and it was normal. I do take diazepam quite regularly but  i dont know if that can cause dizziness so I am afraid to take it now.

Thanks in advance for any help

Lisa

 

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • jmcg2014
    jmcg2014 Lisa362

    Posted

    Yes anxiety often causes dizziness, but there are a lot of viral things at the moment which could also cause it. Either is much more likely than a stroke. A discussion with your doctor will rule out viral or stroke very quickly as these will have other symptoms. Don't google the other symptoms! You'll only convince ureself that you have them, we all do it
  • jmcg2014
    jmcg2014 Lisa362

    Posted

    And medication often causes problems which is why I choose therapy and always refuse medication
  • amy89817
    amy89817 Lisa362

    Posted

    Dizziness can be caused by anxiety, it's definitely a symptom. But you mentioned that it happens when you sit up quickly, or move your head quickly- dizziness generally happens to everyone in those circumstances.. 
    • jmcg2014
      jmcg2014 amy89817

      Posted

      Or with a sinus or ear infection....lotsnod options really. None of them as serious as a stroke. But as you have anxiety and taking diazepam, its more likely related to that. But I'd it continues speak to a doctor to put your mind at rest.
    • Lisa362
      Lisa362 amy89817

      Posted

      Hi Amy,  thanks so much for answering me.  Maybe you're right that it can happen to everyone but it hasn't happen to me before so that was why i'm worried but it made me feel better to hear that so thank you

  • jmcg2014
    jmcg2014 Lisa362

    Posted

    Best to deal with the root cause rather than just dealing with the symptom. For example if someone gives advice on dealing with the symptom of dizziness rather than dealing with the cause. It always makes more sense to deal with the cause rather than then symptom
    • Lisa362
      Lisa362 jmcg2014

      Posted

      Thanks so much for taking the time to answer me jmcg2014.  i know that dizziness is a vague symptom and has many possible causes but its just that it is such a frightening symptom to have and my first thought is always stroke when it happens.  I do have issues with my ears as they are always itchy so it could be an inner ear problem so maybe that could be playing a part in it

       

    • jmcg2014
      jmcg2014 Lisa362

      Posted

      No problems, itchy ears does point to a very slight infection or even hay fever. I know how it is to imagine every slight sensation is something terrible, health anxiety is so distressing. I've had every serious illness possible if I were to believe my crazy impulses. A terrible thing, but therapy helps
    • Lisa362
      Lisa362 jmcg2014

      Posted

      Health anxiety is debilitating and it affects the sufferers life so much. I'm glad that therapy is helping you and well done for staying away from medication. Unfortunately it's not been an option for me as my brain shuts down without but as you say medication brings its own problems
    • jmcg2014
      jmcg2014 Lisa362

      Posted

      It does, what works for one doesn't for another. It all just depends on the individual
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure Lisa362

    Posted

    Yes dizziness is what I experience during a anxiety attack or moving from a sitting position to standing to quickly. 

    I have low blood pressure - when I rise quickly the blood rushes from my core & head from a sitting position to flowing to my legs , arm & feet to balance the blood flow... leaving a short dizzy feeling..

    anxiety attack - breathing too rapidly causes to much carbon dioxide to enter the blood stream = dizzy feeling.. Hyperventilating stop breathing fast and slow breaths slowly or paper bag over mouth has helps in sometimes it can make me black out so I immediately have trained myself to sit back down quickly until my breathing is under control.

    Carbon dioxide, is a byproduct of metabolism, is carried in the blood to the lungs, where it is exhaled into the atmosphere. A high level of carbon dioxide in the blood, called hypercapnia, is usually accompanied by an increase in breathing to help return levels to normal. Acute, or short-term, hypercapnia is generally caused by respiratory failure or diminished gas exchange in the lungs. Chronic hypercapnia is associated with lung diseases, such as emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD.

    Hopefully COPD or Emphysema is not a issue in this case. Check with UR physician for further treatments.

    • amy89817
      amy89817 hope4cure

      Posted

      'When you breathe, you breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Excessive breathing creates low levels of carbon dioxide in your blood. This causes many of the symptoms of hyperventilation.'

      Hyperventilation is actually high levels of oxygen and low levels of carbon dioxide in the body! So please do not worry that you're not getting enough oxygen, because if fact, the opposite is true. Taking deep breaths will even out your breathing. Taking faster breaths will make you hyperventilate more and make your symptoms much worse! 

      Please be careful about the information you give out on this site.. 

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