Pressure in head and sinus related to anxiety?
Posted , 40 users are following.
I frequently have pressure around my nose, eyes, forehead, temples, and back of head and it worsens when I read or socialize. It affects my cognitive functioning and ability to function in general because the pressure gets worse and my brain feels "foggy" and I cannot visually focus. The lights seem too bright and everything is a little bit blurry. I have felt this way for many years. I do not have a runny nose or cough, but have recently noticed that I feel some post nasal drip. I have also noticed that sometimes I see sparks or stars, but not frequenly. I have talked about this to my doctor many times but he thinks that it is something psychological related such as anxiety or depression. He has referred me to a psychaitrist who said the same thing and prescribed me an anti-depressant called "Trintellix" which apparently improves cognitive functioning alongside treating anxiety and depression.
Furthermore, I have done some blood tests and the only thing that came out of this was that I have am low in iron. I have since increased my iron levels and it is now in the normal range. I feel anxious and sad most of the time because of the affect that this physical feeling has on my functioning. It feels like I cannot function normally. I cannot hold conversations because my brain feels foggy and I cannot concentrate.. I am wondering if anybody experienced this before and is it related to anxiety or something else? Thank you so much.
0 likes, 44 replies
RedSquirrel5000 christina33392
Posted
Hope you are well. I just saw your reply. I have these same symptoms. with Post Nasal Drip that sort of relieves the pressure in the sinus and calms the headache over 30 min to 1 hour if I avoid screens, driving and such things. - OCD, Anxiety etc in my family and some history of migraines. If you don't mind, have you had any luck figuring out what it is? or how to deal with them? Thanks! -Dave in FL, USA
ivyke83 christina33392
Edited
I have the same sort of pressure - it comes out of nowhere and is the worst around my nose, eyes, forehead. I also get head rushes and often feel like the pressure is just too much - my face just feels so....heavy?! My ear is often blocked (I also get tinnitus every now and again) and so is my nose, esp on the left side. I suspect these symptoms are related to my (severe) anxiety as they're not there ALL the time.
RedSquirrel5000 ivyke83
Posted
yeah I think anxiety is working in these situations........it's all very odd. I get the ringing in ears also. When I relax for awhile or stay off screens and away from stress I can actually hear like "rice krispy" sounds every 10 seconds or so as pressure releases and Post Nasal Drip (ewww I know) and then the pressure releases over 20-40 minutes......its all very odd. It started around when my Panic Disorder started.
heidi43347 christina33392
Posted
Ive had this for 8+years, was determined at one point to find the cause, MRI, specialists, nose sprays, different anti depressants, no meds (ssri) for a year, supplements, nutritionists, antihistamine, organic eating, GF and DF, thousands of dollars. ive now accepted I will probably live with this forever. Anxiety , am on sertraline 100mg. It is a struggle, i try and focus on the positives. My symptoms are terrible brainfog, fatigue, dizziness headaches, trouble sleeping, stomach pain, IBS, food intolerances, joint pain, neck stiffness. Ive found a routine of working 15 hours a week in short sections, and it is managable. Also realising that I can actually live like this, and be reasonably productive, although it closely resembles feeling like you have the flu all the time.
vera777 heidi43347
Posted
I feel your pain. I suffer from most of your symptoms as well . Have you found a solution?
leslie72260 christina33392
Posted
Hi everyone,
i came across this post because i am having the same symptoms. I was diagnosed with TMJ, look into TMJ. Fo me, my TMJ is stress and anxiety related.
katherine79100 christina33392
Posted
I'm having the same for over a year. Xanax helps but don't want to get addicted. If anyone here has a solution please let me know!
janna73402 christina33392
Posted
Hi, I experience this as well, especially the past couple of weeks, but my is mainly on the left side around my nose and eye. The pressure is pretty intense on and off throughout the day. Has anyone had pressure on one side? It's freaking me out.
WAKEY23 christina33392
Posted
I am suffering exactly the same symptons for about 3 years. Has anyone found a break through? Thanks.
vera777 christina33392
Posted
Hello! I am so happy to have found this thread. I also suffer from the brainfog, pressure around head and sinuses, depersonalization, dissociation, weird smell in nose. It is such a challenge dealing with mental illness. Have any if you found help for these weird symptoms?