Dizziness can be classified into various categories, including vertigo (spinning sensation), presyncope (near-fainting), and disequilibrium (imbalance). A psychosomatic disorder is any physical condition that stress can either help cause or worsen. Stress impacts our bodies in various ways and can affect several aspects of our lives.
Fainting, or passing out, is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain. Some causes of syncope include stress, grief, overheating, and extreme excitement. Fainting spells are often not serious and can be triggered by various factors such as stress, grief, or overheating.
Psychological factors play a role in the development and maintenance of symptoms of syncope. A variety of conditions can trigger vasovagal syncope, including physical or psychological stress, dehydration, bleeding, or pain. Vasovagal syncope is often triggered by a combination of dehydration and upright posture, but it can also have an emotional trigger, such as seeing blood.
In many cases, the cause of fainting is unclear, but it can be triggered by a number of factors, including fear or other emotional trauma, severe pain, and a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain. In some cases, the cause of fainting is unclear, but it is essential for healthcare providers to assess the patient’s condition as soon as possible.
📹 Dizziness & Anxiety Symptoms That Scare Us | EXPLAINED WITH SOLUTIONS
Hyper arousal and anxiety can come with a host of anxiety symptoms. One of the most prevalent symptoms of anxiety is Dizzines …
Is fainting psychogenic shock?
Psychogenic shock is a condition characterized by vasodilation of the muscular blood vessels, which results in a reduction in blood supply and subsequent decrease in blood pressure, along with symptoms such as coldness, sweating, and an elevated pulse rate.
What are the emotional reasons for fainting?
Vasovagal syncope is a condition that is precipitated by stress, including situations such as blood drawing, emotional distress, or physical trauma. A diagnosis can be made by healthcare providers, who can also provide treatment. This may include medications, compression stockings, fluids and salt, and leg exercises. These are particularly beneficial for individuals aged 65 and above, who are more susceptible to fainting when standing up too quickly.
How to prevent fainting from anxiety?
Wearing compression stockings can help prevent fainting from anxiety by preventing blood pressure drop. Gentle breathing can ease hyperventilation and anxiety. Lying down reduces the risk of fainting from dizziness. Being aware of anxiety as the cause of dizziness can prevent panic attacks. Avoiding triggers and seeking anxiety treatment can also help. Chronic dizziness and anxiety may be a serious underlying condition, so people should not dismiss their symptoms. When anxiety is the primary cause, dizziness may come and go, with acute episodes usually improving on their own. Treating anxiety often helps manage the condition.
What is psychological fainting?
Vasovagal syncope is a condition where the body overreacts to triggers like blood sight or emotional distress, leading to a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, reducing blood flow to the brain and briefly losing consciousness. This condition is usually harmless and requires no treatment, but it is possible to injure oneself during an episode. Doctors may recommend tests to rule out more serious causes, such as heart disorders.
Can fainting be psychosomatic?
Vasovagal syncope is a common cause of fainting due to emotional triggers such as blood sight, excitement, anxiety, or fear. This condition occurs when the nervous system controlling heart rate and blood pressure overreacts, causing a slow heart rate and widening blood vessels, leading to a drop in blood pressure. This results in the body not delivering the necessary blood to the brain, causing consciousness loss. Although this type of fainting doesn’t require treatment, it is more common when standing up, so individuals prone to vasovagal syncope should lie down or sit with their heads between their knees.
What mental disorder makes you faint?
Syncope and psychiatric disorders are often linked, accounting for 26 of all syncopal episodes. Major depression, panic, anxiety, and somatization disorders are the most common causes. If organic causes aren’t found, psychiatric disorders should be considered in female patients under 40 years old with four or more syncope or presyncope episodes in the previous year and marked presyncopal symptoms. Men under 65 years old should search for alcohol or psychoactive substance abuse and chemical addiction.
Hyperventilation maneuvers and tilt-table testing can help identify these patients. Only a psychiatric interview can establish a diagnosis. If a psychiatric disorder is suspected as the cause of syncope, the goal should be diagnosis and specific treatment through referral to an expert. Remission of syncopal episodes has been reported after treating the actual cause.
Can emotional stress cause you to faint?
Fever may be the result of emotional stress, hyperventilation, or underlying medical conditions such as cardiac abnormalities, anemia, hypoglycemia, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Emotional stress, such as fear or shock, can precipitate a decline in blood pressure. Conversely, hyperventilation, which involves the rapid exhalation of air, causes the blood vessels to constrict and thereby reduce the flow of blood to the brain.
Can fainting be a coping mechanism?
Vasovagal syncope is the most common cause of syncope at all ages, often occurring when someone stands or stands up from a sitting or lying position. Gravity pulls blood away from the brain and down towards the legs, causing an excess of blood to collect in the legs and decrease blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness. If the brain fails to correct this, fainting can occur. Fainting can be seen as a defense mechanism, helping the body flatten itself without fighting gravity.
The fainting reflex is mediated by the vagus nerve, a large nerve that supplies various organs, including the heart, blood vessels, intestines, skin, and more. When activated, it can cause a sudden decrease in heart rate and dilation of blood vessels, leading to a drop in blood pressure and a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain. Other triggers include emotion, fear, pain, upset stomach, viral infection, or increased chest and abdominal pressure.
Many individuals with vasovagal syncope also experience other symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, and palpitations. These symptoms are usually due to the release of adrenaline by the body to counteract the movement of blood toward the legs due to gravity. Additionally, chronic fatigue or tiredness may be present.
To prevent fainting due to vasovagal causes, recognize symptoms before they occur, such as feeling dizzy and recognizing blood collecting in the legs. Staying well hydrated and rarely prescribing medications to increase blood volume can help prevent fainting.
Is fainting a coping mechanism?
Vasovagal syncope is the most common cause of syncope at all ages, often occurring when someone stands or stands up from a sitting or lying position. Gravity pulls blood away from the brain and down towards the legs, causing an excess of blood to collect in the legs and decrease blood flow to the brain, causing dizziness. If the brain fails to correct this, fainting can occur. Fainting can be seen as a defense mechanism, helping the body flatten itself without fighting gravity.
The fainting reflex is mediated by the vagus nerve, a large nerve that supplies various organs, including the heart, blood vessels, intestines, skin, and more. When activated, it can cause a sudden decrease in heart rate and dilation of blood vessels, leading to a drop in blood pressure and a sudden decrease in blood flow to the brain. Other triggers include emotion, fear, pain, upset stomach, viral infection, or increased chest and abdominal pressure.
Many individuals with vasovagal syncope also experience other symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, lightheadedness, and palpitations. These symptoms are usually due to the release of adrenaline by the body to counteract the movement of blood toward the legs due to gravity. Additionally, chronic fatigue or tiredness may be present.
To prevent fainting due to vasovagal causes, recognize symptoms before they occur, such as feeling dizzy and recognizing blood collecting in the legs. Staying well hydrated and rarely prescribing medications to increase blood volume can help prevent fainting.
Can mental stress cause fainting?
Fever may be the result of emotional stress, hyperventilation, or underlying medical conditions such as cardiac abnormalities, anemia, hypoglycemia, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Emotional stress, such as fear or shock, can precipitate a decline in blood pressure. Conversely, hyperventilation, which involves the rapid exhalation of air, causes the blood vessels to constrict and thereby reduce the flow of blood to the brain.
What neurological disorder causes fainting?
Neurologic syncope can occur due to neurological conditions like seizures, stroke, or TAI, as well as migraines and normal pressure hydrocephalus. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition characterized by a fast heart rate, usually occurring within 10 minutes of standing. It is most common in women and those with AFAB, but can also occur in men and those with AMAB. The cause of syncope is unknown in about 33 people, but some medications may increase the risk. It is important to follow up with a provider if you are unsure about the cause.
📹 Constant dizziness / lightheadedness | My story with PPPD and treatment!
Are you experiencing constant dizziness / lightheadedness? You may have PPPD aka Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness.
“When it feels like your life is completely falling apart that’s when it’s really coming together.” Man I hope that’s true. I relapsed recently with my health anxiety and it feels like my life’s falling apart but I have hope because I’ve been here before and survived. I’ll use those words as inspiration to recover from this.
Been suffering this for 11 years.. health anxiety has ruined me. The dizziness has been worse the past 4-5 yrs. Waking up in the middle of the night when it’s dark is THE most scariest for me. Or being in a public place like a mall or grocery store strangely I feel overwhelmed and I’m in constant fear of passing out or having a heart attack. Then my dizziness attacks. It’s a horrible cycle. I will def try your advice… thanks!
If you’re perusal this article and feeling like you’re at the end of your rope, please know that you’re not alone. It’s okay to reach out for help, whether that’s through therapy, medication, or just talking to a friend. It can be a long and difficult journey, but there is hope and healing on the other side. Thank you to the creator for sharing their story and shedding light on this important topic.
Struggling with all of these lately and they are rapidly getting worse. I am ready to admit that my health anxiety is causing most of my physical problems. I have been so resistant and going from Dr to Dr. I am so sick of worrying about dying, I am not living because of it and I’ve had enough! Thank you for the website and I look forward to learning with you.
Dennis, thanks so much for this wisdom. At age 66, I am FULL of anxiety. Every ache, every bout of dizziness, worrying about my grown kids’ issues, fearing for what the world will be like for my two little grandkids, wondering if my husband will die and leave me to wander in this house alone…..and always, what sickness do I have coming on……..Lately I am struggling day and night. I’ll be perusal this article repeatedly and meditating on your advice. Anxiety sure takes the fun out of life!
Dennis, this article just blew me away. I have been dizzy lately – and – every single point you made describes me. Every point. I am going to watch this article over and over again until your wisdom sinks in. Thank you for allowing me to feel that I am not alone in feeling overwhelmed and like I’m being swallowed up by anxiety over SO many things in my life. I’ll keep perusal and I’ll keep working on myself. And thanks to you, I do have hope. Thank you.
Wow….I think I needed to hear this today…..I was doing so well managing my anxiety for over 2 years…….but…a tremendous amount of stress that’s a lot more than the constant state of it that I’ve been experiencing has caused a resurgence of disruptive anxiety that alters my actions throughout the day………This particular recording of yours….hits home today……and if only for a few minutes today…..I’m comforted and that knot or tremble in the top of my stomach that prevented me relaxing enough to realize I’m not having a heart issue…has subsided…..I’m doing my hair now….preparing to leave the house….Thank you.
These articles bring so much peace to my mind. I’ve been struggling with constant unsteadiness/dizziness for about 4 months now and even after medical tests came back normal I still have felt so much anxiety about this scary symptom. Will it ever go away? Am I actually okay medically? But hearing you talk about it and explain it and give tips about it calms my nerves almost more than anything. Thank you for all you do! I will overcome this one day!
I am so worried about my heart . A single chest pain or rapid pulse rate elevates my anxiety. I feel so unhappy all the time..like I have nothing to do with my life. I am having cardiophobia.. I also have Tachycardia. My pulse rate is very high . And anxiety is increasing them…i am suffering from severe health anxiety..
Thank you for this Denis you were the first person to let me know this dizziness was my anxiety and for me actually getting out and taking a walk makes it almost go away for a bit but it comes back immediately after I come in the house but this let me know it’s just anxiety I also cross stitch and it helps keep me focused thank you again for helping me more than anything else has!
My anxiety symptoms changed. I’ve been doing a lot of work your book and stuff and mine using dizziness and light head.. but now it’s gone down deep to gut and jaw even with changed diet !! So you he gut goes nuts then I go into fight or flight.. I’m working with accepting and sometimes I have to say to my brain . Well ok .. let’s just fall over right now I’m done .. I never do so then I’m able to move on . Ya I look for the threat so far in advance to doom and gloom .. yes loosing out on something. I don’t trust process of life . Making peace with uncertainty is hard . I have tried to control so much .. for that need . You hit it right on !😮
My symptoms: Chest squeezing, that can be under my heart or in the center and I will get dizzy with it. I get these random sharp pinches in my head and in the same spot. I feel like my neck is always tight and I will get the occasional lump in the back of my throat and dry mouth. I even recently started to get a metallic taste. Hard to sleep most nights because my mind is all over and as I am drifting off to sleep I wake up like I can’t breath (over and over). Then I stress I have to take something then I’ll really never be able to sleep again. 😢 All of this usual makes my mind start to go all over the place and I fear I’m dying. But it goes away after awhile when I’m away from everything and everyone and I can relax. I worry most about not being here for my 3 young boys and wife. I have recently become very overwhelmed by everything and stumbling upon these articles have helped some. I went through this last year and never fully recovered but was much better than it recently hit me again. I have massive worry about my health. I feel alone and I’m scared a lot.
My heart, pain in fingers left arm, always tense so pain in neck and in the chest, feels like im trembling inside. Always afraid of dying in my sleep because i wake up in the middle of the night and my heart is fast and it feels like my blood flow is still and when i wake up and moves everything starts working again. I am a zombie almost, dont want to sleep. Everyday i try to like say things and do things with my kids incase i die. i want my husband to wake me up so he knows i am alive so my kids wont find me, this is so crazy.
Hi Dennis, and thank you for another useful piece of advice for our anxiety journey. I struggle with many different anxiety symptoms most of them being heart related, like palpitations, chest/upper stomach tightness, pounding heart feeling, the anxiety feeling symptom as you described it perfectly, some sleeping issues which lead to sleep anxiety etc. The number one most severe symptom which when occurs I cannot manage is a near fainting/blurred vision/lightheadedness feeling, as if my blood pressure or glocuse levels have dipped. The thing is my heart rate at that moment drops below 60 and I have established a logical connection between low heart rate and that specific feeling. The most proper way to describe this is a panic attack with resting/low heart rate. I do cardio workouts regularl(4-5) times/week, mainly jump roping workouts. This usually lasts less than an hour, especially if I engage in breathing techniques and happens out of the blue nearly every time, most of the time when I am relaxed. However, it may leave an ambient, much milder version of that feeling for the rest of the day. I want to know if anyone else experiences such symptoms.
My anxiety, and dizziness came on, after the diagnosis of my husband’s dementia, in the same weeks my precious puppy mill rescue dog died of kidney failure. It is a dizziness that is sporadic, but, at first, I swore I had Meniere’s. I have been studying, because my right leg began to swell, then both. I ditched all the foods, that were not great for the kidneys. My legs are better, but liver may have been an issue. So glad you mentioned the lack of the things you love. I am an artist, and I love to create garden areas. My goal is to make MY, NAKED WHEN I got IT, YARD, The Secret Garden…and it is getting there. Ii can work until dark, and love every minute. RE: the dizziness, it worries me because it sometimes pulls my body to one side. If I have time to journal, I may figure it out.
Lately my anxiety has gotten worse. Niw i get dizzy when i get up in the morning, or lightheadedness. Heart palpitations, then worrying aboit all these symptoms. Worrying about my adult children & their health & worrying about things i really have little control over. It’s exhausting & has taken all the joy out if life. I need help…i pray alot to help calm down. Of course whats goi v on in the world, & all the injustice is fueling the fire for me too!
Dizziness is the worst one for me and it’s been so bad that it keeps me sitting and getting out of shape. It even developed into POTS since I became malnourished from not wanting to move and the anxiety keeps my appetite away. I started a very low dose medication (not sharing the name since everyone is different) but it’s taking the edge off and I’m finally able to look at what is causing these symptoms for me and how I can work to retrain my brain and eventually get off the medicine. It will take time but I’m so thankful that after three years I am finally able to find one to give me a little boost to healing.
my jiggly legs are pretty much resolved but now dealing with stomach problems. never had acid reflux or anything similar before but have been struggling since Christmas with it. It is getting better and while it may have started with a sickness from my kids the lingering is definitely my anxiety. I think the description of aches is right on with what I am going through. As you always are. Thank you for sharing it was so helpful. Thanks again for everything you do
Someone let me know if they can relate. I wake up fine go to work around noon I start getting neck tension, start getting dizzy lightheadedness, jaw clenching, sometimes chest pains, hard to focus eye sight sometimes. The the rest of the day those are my symptoms, I then start thinking I’m having a stroke or heart attack. It comes evene when I’m fine and not anxious. It’s like a vicious cycle. It’s so horrible. Sometimes it’s not dizziness it’s like a fog and feels like I can’t think or have no memory and comes and goes. Almost like a alternate reality. I was sleeping fine but now I have been waking up at 4am and the anxiety kicks in and I’m wondering if I am breathing… has anyone had this? Mine has been going on for 10 months.
I suffer from headaches, dizziness, chest pain, my body like starts to tremble all over which I can’t stop and the worst one for me at the moment is impending doom feeling and that huge sudden rush of fear and like im gonna die any second, have you done a article on impending doom? 😢 your health anxiety affirmations article I listen to daily though
Yes!!!! I don’t trust the process of life! 😵💫😵💫😵💫 feel so discombobulated with scattered thoughts. Even though I don’t get panic attacks anymore, some days it’s very difficult to focus on what people are saying. Some days I swear people are speaking a different language. Nothing computes. I thought I kicked anxiety to the curb. But it surfaces in different ways in realizing.
Hi Dennis 👋. I share your articles with friends and family. I always recommend your website to anyone that can benefit from your great advice. You’ve been a true blessing 🙌 to me. I could never repay you for all the good you’ve done for me. There will never be another website for me, you are my only source.
I just want to thank you, for your articles.. I have been struggling an with anxiety disorder, for a long time.. and I have been perusal a lot of other articles to try to cope with these symptoms.. After discovering your website on YouTube, I began to truly understand what is happening to me and how to handle myself when these symptoms kick in out of nowhere. If it wasn’t for your amazing articles, I would probably be sitting outside now, trying to breathe and hyperventilating.. Thank you so very much for helping me understand this disorder in such detail.
Thank you for doing these articles, they help so much. Been doing great with my anxiety symptoms but recently due to stress (mum in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s) the symptoms you mentioned in this article have started to come back. Especially heart palpitations, feeling like not taking in enough air, and aches and pains. I try to meditate daily and it does help, but I will add in the affirmation you mentioned too. Thank you again. ❤
I can proudly say that I am a warrior that was shaped into who I am today by perusal your articles Dennis… religiously.. I had them on reply for months before I went to sleep when I couldn’t afford your course. I wasted years out of my life. NEVER AGAIN… I remember the past 8 years, I was so broke I couldn’t even afford a meal. I had to realize that at that point that no one was going to walk me through things in life and I had to do this on my own and figure out everything alone. I now live in the nordic woods of Sweden and post about self improvement after surviving a great ordeal in life, from the Boston bombing attack to being homeless, depressed struggling with an anxiety disorder and other mental disorders before I studied my pain and got certified in therapy. I used it to heal and run my own business and also move out of Miami where I worked in a corner store overnight in one of the most dangerous hoods in Miami. I am so grateful I got out, because I knew the other route, and it was not going to end well. I hope I get to help at least one person reading this, I just started uploading weekly articles on YouTube as well 🙏🏽💜
My stomach turns and goes mush, get really bad nausea and start to panic. I freeze up, sometimes stutter when speaking, shake and/or feel really hot and dizzy. Hate this so much since it makes me feel super shameful and it’s stopping me from getting into relationships so it really saddens and frustrates me.
Dennis has been a great guide through my years of health anxiety. When I was at my lowest, I made it a point to every morning without fail listen to atleast one of his podcasts and write down the points that helped me change my perception. In one of his podcasts he even answered to my question. I have been much better then I was 3 years back and Dennis played a big role in that. Everyone who is struggling now, be assured that you will get through this and Dennis will help you tremendously in the process.
Thank you as always for your helpful articles. When I had my first ever panic attack, one of the worst symptoms was the room-spinning dizziness. That is now my most dreaded symptom. I always know when anxiety is starting to hit me because I start getting the lightheadedness, I can handle that symptom but not the room spinning dizziness.
Often get a heavy chest feeling and tightness, also weird trembling fluttering sensations. Got checked at doctors as worrying about heart. Had ECG and it appeared normal. But still keep getting episodes especially at night and when I wake up in morning. Also high up in stomach I keep feeling so tight and knotted up and find it hard to unclench.
Cardiphobia, associated with chest pains and tightness, been to Er and doctors, made some changes in my life but I’m always worried about having a heart attack or cardiac arrest, it bugs me put alot and even triggers depression, I have been in prayer alot and watch alot of article just to learn how to accept it and deal with it, thank you for the knowledge and supportive articles you make they really help me to gain a better understanding and move forward with my life, although I need to change the mindset that I can’t control everything around me and expectations are way to high in life which causes me to be stressed or anxious.
Hi Dennis, I am new to your website. Unfortunately I have suffered with Chronic anxiety all of my adult life, I am now 65. Somehow I have managed to work, but with a great deal of difficulty. I have never trusted the process of life, and I have always been concerned with my physical health, and my ability to earn. I currently have Pneumonia, and I am waiting for the results of a Chest x-ray. If the Pneumonia doesn’t kill me then the waiting for the results of the Chest x-ray just might. During my life I have had every symptom you could mention, and symptoms I live with every day. Sometimes I am able to live with these symptoms and sometimes I just want to shout out how unlucky am I to have to put up with so much pain. I am pleased to have found your website, and I hope you will be able to help me in some way. Kindest regards Kevin
Had anxiety and panic attacks since I lost mum 4 yrs ago. She was only 63. I powered through for a Yr, and then it hit me. Tingly hands dizzy sickly and constant worry about heart. Check numerous times, and all is fine. Still panic with any ache or niggle I get constantly questioning. Take medication to help
Dear Dennis, thank you so much for another useful article at the right time. I had several bad situations last year, including a car crash, and even though I made great progress as far as anxiety is concerned in September last year, an accident and periods of emotional uncertainties unfortanutely set me back. In December I had period of sick leave which lasted for a month. I struggled with all the symptoms you mentioned and even some new symtpoms appeared which I didn’ t have before. My problem number, one apart from chronic fatigue, is muscle twitching. So if you could give us some tips about overcoming this symptom, I’ d be very thankful. Now I’ m getting back on track and I returned to work. One thing is for sure. If it wasn’ t of your tips, I’ d end up in a hospital. Like many of your followers I hear your voice and your tips in critical situations and follow your instructions. I’ ve learnt a lot during these process. And I believe that I’ ll be healed inspite of those set backs. God bless you ❤🙏
Ask me I get these symptoms when I’m having a panic attack driving and there’s no way to shut it off. I’ve tried music, which can sometimes help a little bit. Box breathing absolutely does not. Not it makes the anxiety worse…. And I’m at the breaking point of not wanting to drive because of the fear of it happening again. Get dizzy, sweat, shakes, rapid heartbeats
Dennis, I had no idea that dizziness was a symptom of anxiety until I started listening to your website. I had dizziness and lightheadedness for a few months, went to the doctor and was diagnosed with low iron; however, not low enough to cause dizziness so my mind went to catastrophic illnesses. I lost an executive job and haven’t been able to find another one which has caused me distress and amplified health anxiety even though it was time to move on from a career that doesn’t fulfill me anymore. I’ve learned so much from you about dealing with uncertainty, the necessity of recognizing the child within to heal. I am going to sign up for your HA program. Thank you!!
What about non typical anxiety symptoms but overlooking even small physical things in your body? Why is my left and right part of forehead is different. Or is that vein or lymph node in my collarbone? There are real differences and real physical things but you cant go and check all pf them at doctor. Whats your suggestion?
Dennis, it was less than a week ago I commented how I couldn’t stop drinking to “cure” my anxiety and here I am to tell you I found your podcast and by episode 11 I feel like a brand new man. I haven’t named my lower self daffy but rather stuey from family guy🤣🤣.. you are a life saver to me !!! I’ve had 20 clean bills of health from doctors, cardiologists, and radiologists yet it never gave me peace. Accepting myself as an anxiety sufferer has fixed sooooo much!!!! My 3 month goal is well under way and I can’t even begin to thank you enough
I have been dealing with health anxiety since 2019, it was bad then and eventually I got out of it, but within the last 4 months my health anxiety has come back again and worse. I keep having doctors appointments and everything always comes back normal but I still don’t feel well. It lead to me googling my symptoms, which I shouldn’t do, and it made me so much worse in the last month where I had to call off of work for this past week and I’ve been so scared to leave my house on the slight chance that I won’t feel well. I’ve started to go to therapy for help and have been listening to meditations before I go to sleep or whenever I feel my anxiety flares up and it helps tremendously 🙂 my main symptom I’ve been feeling is dizziness and I know the more anxious I am the worse I feel it. I was able to surpass this once and I can do it again!
how can you tell the difference. I just watched a you tube article of a chiropractor dealing with a person who has neck and shoulder problems whose doctor said it was his anxiety but in the end it was his neck. I did get an MRI, there was nothing except less space between them but I get so tense and tight in my neck and shoulder due to tension and stress, my dizziness (on a boat feeling) not spinning gets stronger. How can we tell?
Hi Anxiety Guy i been having ribs cage pain in my front of my chest i been fucusing in that symp non stop thinking i have kidneys cancer or something bad bout them moves to my back ribs even on my side where my armpit lower corner is pain also. Is that common please let me know that common. Im very scared
Again another incredible article, thank you so so much. I can resonate with all the symptoms you mentioned in some way, some more than others especially the aches and the anxiety ones. I was in an emotionally abusive marriage and whilst having had anxiety for a number of years I began to ache more and more as time went on and would need to see an osteopath for this thinking it was something wrong with my back but after a couple of months I’d be back there again. Anyway this went on until my marriage ended. It was only after 6 months I realised I had not needed to go back again and haven’t been since. Now 11 years later I still havent been back. So what I’m saying is, not only wasnt I receiving the love from him but also the love from myself. I have only just recently begun to really experience how to love myself, in the non egotistical sense of course. I accept myself but I’m not adverse to recognising the things that I’m a bit unhappy with and working to change them but in a loving way with patience not in a forceful, you have to do it quick, now or people won’t like you kind of way. I used to do that so much. With regards to the anxiety and what Louise Hay says…..wow!! That is so true, it’s like so many times things have happened that weren’t very nice but I think what’s crucial is how close together negative, traumatic experiences occur in someones life because we are quite resilient us humans dealing with traumas but pile them up then something has to happen to get all that emotion out and that’s inevitably anxiety.
I have these symptoms and thank you for clarifying the meaning behind them. I also have depersonalization but since I have been on this healing journey I feel like it’s less and less everyday. Dennis I know you don’t like talking about COVID. But I had COVID pneumonia and have lingering symptoms from this. I was hospitalized and on oxygen for 4 months. I have aches and pains in my lungs and in the kidney areas. But my doctors say I have scarring in my lungs and my kidneys are ok and functioning. What would you suggest? I do feel breathing exercises daily and walk about 45 minutes in the morning. Thank you 🙏🏻
Dizziness floaty sinking rocking swaying bobbing pulling.. But only I feel it. I’m ok sitting with head support and laying down and in a car…derealization looking out of a fishbowl…hearing muffled but sharp….eyes too sharp and light sensitive.. Almost like I’m looking through someone else’s glasses.. God help me!
I’m still trying to recover from post panic attack stress, the weirdness still goes on… bloated gut (which then obviously = heavy breathing, but not dangerous levels) dizzy vision, the feeling of tightness in my head. but the scariest thing was this morning, woke up, … within the first minute, I felt the skin of my face stinging for 1 second like it was corrosive, and then I thought I semi black-out a bit… like some one had pulled the electric plug on my head. my own advice has just been to carry on with life at the best of your ability. staying in bed googling up symptoms that all apparently lead to cancer is a big no no!
Thank you for this article it was very helpful and reassured me that im not alone. I’m currently going through all these symptoms but what hit the hardest and made me immediately cry was “you’re not your anxiety”. It gets so heavy sometimes that’s all I focus on is my anxiety which creates more of course but I’m working through it and your tips helped🩷 Hope you’re doing well❤️
Dizziness and rapid heart beat. All the others I have manged to over come due to your vides and anxiety health course. (Not completed yet) Honestly have seen such a difference in a matter of weeks. Can’t thank you enough for that! Still struggling with the Dizziness and questioning if it’s anxiety related. Could be DDDP or neck related so taking the steps to get this sorted. Thank you for everything though Dennis. Honestly changed my life for the better and not just with anxiety. The being more present, loving myself and just a complete life style change. We are more than anxiety ❤️
Hi dennis i have been dizzy for almost two years now i have balance issues every day i m getting worse i feel defeated i get better then I get worse and even worse im to a point i cant walk then it will ease i gain some balance back and continue but after a bad episode like brain fog bad vision and severe inner spinning and can’t walk out of balance then after this attack i start to ease again
This is from Louise Hay’s book ‘You can heal your life’. 😊😊But it’s true! I also find that internal conflict causes dizziness. I just want to let you all know that I dealt with 4 years of chronic dizziness after a buildup of stress. (PPPD and MDDS) but I healed myself through nervous system regulation and a hell of a lot of inner work❤ You’re not stuck this way!
So I’ve been feeling off for a bout a month now. I feel like the right side of my head is off in some way. I really don’t know how to describe it. It’s not pressure and it doesn’t hurt but I feel it effecting my balance and I also feel dissociative. It’s hard to stay focused, sometimes when I turn my head it’s almost like it takes me a few seconds to adjust like I get this woozy sensation that goes away after a few seconds. It scares me so I start hyper focusing on what’s wrong with me. I have been stressed out because of school. I just got accepted into a health program so I guess it’s making me feel a little nervous. There’s all this stuff I need to prep for before school begins and I guess it’s causing anxiety in my head or maybe that’s stress idk. It’s just very weird thing to be experiencing right now and I want it to go away. Last time I did blood work they said I had low vitamin d. Other than I’m active, eat a healthy diet, exercise. My only down fall is my anxiety honestly it ruins my mental health and now it’s affecting my head in some weird way. Is this something other people experience as well?
Started Prozac 3 weeks ago. One panic attack in that time. I usually get on and watch a article or two from Dennis ( if i can) and I am able to calm and go on with my day. Most recently I’ve had what feels like a full body flush of warmness and tingling. I try to feel it and let it pass. It’s unnerving.
since i had a concussion 4 years ago, (ball in the back of the head) with very hard symptoms to go through, i now have lingering symptoms that frustrate me so much and dont let me be myself for a long time, and i think those are not from concussion anymore but my nervous system got very sensitive after that, so i think anxiety or periods withnmore stress might trigger these symptoms i have, which are mostly: ringing in the ears, nauseated, feeling dizzy/unbalanced, one of my ears will randomly get extremely hot…they last sometimes 1 week, sometimes 3 days, sometimes a month… it has been debilitating my sense of being able to live life normally…Thank you for all that you do for all of us!
The last few days but especially last night and this morning I have been dealing with dizziness and hyper focused on my breathing for about 2-3 weeks. I am going to do what you suggested in this article to help. The trusting is a really hard thing for me to do, to trust that everything is going to be OK, trusting life in general, I wish it wasn’t so hard. Thank you for your articles, there is always one related to what I am going through and they help me so much ❤
Can you make a article about how anxiety makes it hard to swallow or makes you feel you’re about to choke on food? This is a new symptom for me…. Make a list of safe foods? A lot of us are dealing with it now, and there’s not a lot of information or articles about this symptom. It comes and goes for me so I know it’s anxiety…. I need (we) need some reassurance PLEASEEEEEE 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Dude you made me cry and you made me laugh but the laughter was such a blessing to me. You gave me more inside and healing 1 article then my stupid imbecile useless good-for-nothing supposed therapist and psychiatrist from Kaiser Permanente. You are a real blessing but I will subscribe to your website.
Hi I was just wondering how do you know the difference between real symptoms of something being wrong with your body or anxiety. My symptoms are back pain especially lower, nausea, weird leg pain on both legs, pelvic pain, out of breath even though 02 is good, fatigue, arm heaviness, pain on sides of abdomen the list goes on. Doctors have found nothing so far. Surely this can not all be anxiety can it?
3 days ago i had bouts of full body shaking, so bad i went to a head doc but i ended up leaving because i was freaking out more wonder what they were going to do to me, lock me up, straight jacket or pump me full of drugs i didn’t want, so today and most of yesterday i have just been really dizzy or off. i take tiny step every where and turn slowly and i headache for hell. this is your 3rd article today, for so reason I’m drawn to then and yes your voice is soothing . im know most of my issues start with a clogged gut and not sleeping from that and oh yes the menopause word too, yikes lol. do you have articles on those thing or a reference to some one you trust, plz and ty
I’m better at controlling my physical symptoms, the problem is my mind. Always thinking of the worst, many thoughts, sometimes I can’t even control them, and the depersonalization, always checking if I’m really here or it’s not just a dream, It’s so distressing to doubt my existence everyday or to check if I’m not going crazy or hallucinate
hey i am warrior i saw you you were dealing it with politeness and very calmly thats one stance which is good obviously and great here is my take about it which is totally opposite to yours maybe we should discuss it anywhere whatever you like to, hopefully we can help eachother and other warriors too Regards
Thank you so much for perusal my article! 💖As I write this completely healed, I wanted to share an additional resource that I’ve poured my heart and soul into for those of you looking for more support as you go through your recovery! This covers EVERYTHING I wish I knew when I was struggling myself and felt like I was going to be ‘stuck’ in dizziness hell forever – I don’t want anyone to feel like that, because it’s not true and we should never settle on a reduced quality of life! You can check out my Etsy page here: thehealthadvocate.etsy.com
Been dealing with PPPD for nearly 12 years now. It took 10 years to even get a diagnosis after seeing 2 neurologists, 2 ear nose and throat, 1 allergist, 2 primary doctors. I’ve had every test under the sun, 4 mris, etc. everyone just said I had anxiety and gave me SSRI. Finally a PT diagnosed me with PPPD and it all made sense. I share all the same symptoms, stiff and sore neck and shoulders, dizziness, cloudy head, cloudy vision, patterns bother me, disassociating from body, never relaxed, always fear a greater vertigo episode is on the way, feel of going to pass out, still moving after I move my head quick, hard to focus, can’t read long paragraphs. It has really been such an Invisible disability, and has made me very anti social and sad inside. No one knows I live with this because I’m always so positive and happy. It’s getting harder and harder to be happy though. I really hope I can eventually find my way back to being normal. At this point I don’t even know what normal is anymore
I cried perusal your story.. I really was starting to believe I was the only person who ever had to deal with this.. I’ve felt and felt this same way everyday for the past year. My doctors keep saying there’s nothing wrong, it went away for awhile and now it came back.. I’m constantly getting panic attacks, constantly dizzy and lightheaded, it makes me not wanna do anything anymore but lay in bed. I’m so glad I came across your article because it gives me hope that I’ll be back to my old self soon! So thank you sooo much for reassuring others deal with this too.
SOLVED …. So I had all the symptoms of PPPD. I’m male, 50 years old. Spend long hours in from of computer screens. Symptoms started about 2 years ago. Feeling of confusion, brain fog, unable to concentrate, poor memory. Then mild dizziness when walking especially corridors and the supermarket. Symptoms got worse, depression and very emotional. Jaw pain at my TMJ and incredible neck pain. Had MRI, CT, ear pressure test, eye test, changed glasses, dental checks etc. All cost me a small fortune. Tried stretches, yoga, meditation etc. nothing worked. THEN… by chance I had reason to close my ears with my fingers… symptoms reduced. So I wore earplugs and …. Symptoms reduced. Kept them on 24/7 for a week to get through the day. I still didn’t know why symptoms reduced. Took the ear plugs out it was like letting the devil back in. With the earplugs in whilst driving and pressed down on the plugs and symptoms reduced even more. Was convinced it was ears. So I watched a article on doing ear massage and stretching. When I pulled and stretched my ears, away from my nose line, and held them there for a minute, it was quite sore, the symptoms had reduced massively!! The pain in jaw / cheek had gone but my inner ear was very sore as I kept doing this all day. The next day all symptoms had gone by 90 percent but has very sore inner ears. I am now on day 3 and no dizziness etc but still quite sore inner ears and haven’t stretched them since. Please try this and reply if this worked for you. Go easy on the ears tho.
I’ve been searching for this article for over 2 years. Mine started in May 2020, I don’t exactly remember how it started but I remember one night feeling really lightheaded, googling my symptoms, and thinking that I was experiencing a vertigo attack that would pass if I layed in bed with the lights off for half an hour. It didn’t end up passing, so I attributed this feeling to my lack of sleep, so I went to sleep only to wake up the next morning feeling the same way. The symptoms are 24/7,and my episodes of intensity vary throughout the day, they can be extremely debilitating to the point where the only thing I can do is lay down, or they can feel a lot “less severe” at times throughout the day, but regardless the feeling is AlWAYS there every second of the day to some degree. It is a feeling of constant lightheadedness, and as if I am going to faint and pass out, as well as an intense feeling of feeling off balance and feeling very disoriented in general. It feels like it is a struggle to physically stay standing up, especially for prolonged periods of time, and as you described in the article, whenever I turn my head in a certain direction, my head feels very “laggy” and it feels like it isnt “processing” things normally, and it exacerbates the lightheadedness. For me personally, when I wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom I feel extremely off balance the most, and even late at night. My symptoms also tend to worsen when I physically exert myself playing sports or something as simple as going for a walk around the block.
This is Heaven sent! I’ve been dealing with this for 4 months all day everyday is has literally stopped so much in my life! Doctors can’t figure it out ER is no help last for months I’ve been to the ER 11 times. They look at me likes it’s just anxiety over look me don’t wait on me people are in and out I’m still sitting in the waiting room just being talked about like this dude is crazy! People that have never experienced this Will absolutely never understand! Like sometimes I don’t even want to be left alone in my own house sometimes! And it’s like more anxious for me because I’ve been shot before so already been thru a life threatening event before then this. I’m like God what is going on……. I’m not crazy. Any way thanks so much! Be Blessed! 🙏🏾
I think this is WAY more common than it seems. I reckon a lot of people with anxiety disorders get this problem. I think it’s to do with the nervous system being OVER STIMULATED and those balance signals being overly sensitive. I always feel this way after a really stressful time or during an snowy flare up.
OH MY GOSH. Thank you for this! This is exactly what I’ve been suffering with since November last year! I’ve been MISERABLE and it feels like nobody believes me this exists. I’m gonna use this as reference next time I see the doctor, I can’t believe the doctors told me I have allergies really bad. I KNEW there had to be something else wrong. You explained this so well, God bless you. 🙏 Prayers everyone including me suffering this get well soon, or eventually.
I am in tears perusal this. You just described every single symptom that I’ve explained to so many doctors. I’ve spent so much time and money on tests, doctor visits, ER visits…been dealing with this since about 2010. It’s so weird. It goes away for months and sometimes a year or two, then when it comes back, it is so intense and makes me not want to do ANYTHING. Very debilitating. But knowing that I’m not alone and perusal your article and seeing everyone else comment, makes me feel a lot better. Thank you for sharing your story and helping so many 🥺❤️
Very interesting… I’ve been dealing with something similar like this. I feel a type of dizzyness like if I’m off balanced but I don’t feel like I’m going to pass out. I’ve noticed when I stand on my feet and focus on my phone screen I feel like I’m rocking or if I look up at the sky i feel that sense of imbalance as well. Dealing with a lot of anxiety and Being a hypochondriac as well i’ve been searching the internet and I can’t find anything… Might need to see a doctor but just scared of what I can have
omg thank you for this article! everything you have explained is exactly what I am feeling right now! I’m in college right now and feel very dizzy/lightheaded and feel out of it a lot. I think it’s anxiety related but also it happens randomly! i’m glad I came across your article and i’m not alone in this!!
I broke out into tears when you started describing your symptoms! It describes me 100%!! 😭😭 I got diagnosed with a vestibular disorder in 2011. But since them I would always come in go until 5 years ago. It hasn’t gone away for 5 years. I had to quit my job, I haven’t driven a car in years, I hate going out, I always feel like I’m going to past out. Finally this year 2021 I got diagnosed with PPPD they sent me to a physical therapist. I went for a few weeks but I have up and stopped going because I lost hope. But now your story has encouraged me to start going again! Thank you so so much for posting this! You have given me hope!! I really appreciate you! ❤️❤️❤️ God bless you!
Wow, that sounds much what I have and still am going through for 63 years now. Friends made fun of me, of course, because they never went through it. Went to many doctors and always came out crying because I got nowhere with them. Felt that they did not take me seriously. Tried to go to group therapy, but no one related to what I was going through. What a waste of life. I felt like someone put some kind of curse on me. Life of hall.
I’ve been having this since last year in September. It’s gotten A LOT better. But still slightly slightly there. And it makes me so sad some days.🥺 Hoping that it fully goes away one day. It makes me panic in situations I never panicked in before. I started having panic attacks last year when I never did before!!! Luckily those stopped happening. Thank you so much for making this article to help people!
I’m so glad I came across this article. My daughter may be suffering from this. She’s been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, vertigo etc, given many meds that made her situation worse. Then suicidal thoughts have come into play bc she feels like she’s the only one. Now she’s dx’d w/PMDD, which has similar symptoms. We’ve tried so much and as a mom I am at a loss bc her condition is getting worse. She had to quit work, it’s affecting her driving and college courses. It’s been a lot. She has an appointment today and I’m going to mention this. It’s sad but wonderful when you have to search for what could be wrong bc doctors are quick to throw meds at you and send you on your way. This young lady is God sent. Thank you for this information. May God continue to bless her and all who are experiencing this condition. It’s no joke. It exists and it’s time to take life back.❤️🙏🏽
I just came across this article I don’t know how and i think this could be life changing for me. I can’t explain how much ai have cried while perusal this. I have been dealing with these symptoms since I was 12. LITERALLY! I don’t know how I managed to survive. 😭 I went to numerous doctors had several tests and it showed nothing. It literally feels like I am dying. It is soooo horrible. I have so much respect for you. Thank you so much for putting it up. I love you!
THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SINCE 27th DECEMBER 2022 – -DIZZINESS -THE WEIRD EYE FOCUSING -THE INPUT WHEN WALKING OUTSIDE -HEART RATE/PRESSURE CHANGES -DISSOCIATION EXACTLY LIKE THAT can’t believe it, this is what this is? It’s only been 2 months barely and my health anxiety has been insane ever since, fuck
I had a panic attack about a month ago and every since I’ve felt everything you said. Reading these comments along with your article gives me hope and tells me I’m not alone. Also did it affect your breathing, where you always have to take deep breath’s? Sometimes it feels hard to take a deep breath and it triggers the panic..
I can’t thank you enough for sharing this with all of us. I have been suffering from these same exact symptoms for the last 3 years with no support from doctors etc. Not one doctor out of the 5 I have seen have even mentioned this condition. I will take this info to my next appointment. Thank you so much. 🥺
I sobbed perusal this article. I mean really cried. I’ve been dealing with this since Oct 2020, and this is the first time I’ve heard anyone talk about my symptoms with such accuracy. I literally thought I was going crazy. I’ve described my symptoms to so many doctors and none of them could name my problem. It has completely devastated my life especially having two young kids. I’ve not been able to be the active mom I wanted to be and that has wrecked me. The thought of going to a store or walking in an open space makes me absolutely terrified, like I’m sitting here thinking that is absolutely something I cannot and will not be able do. The fact that you’ve able to get to that point is mind blowing to me. I’m so, so grateful to you. It’s entirely possible you just gave me my life back.
I had this for 2 years and I got it to stop by doing Yogas “legs up the wall pose”. I have been off SSRI’s for about 9 months, too many side effects, but it seems like it has come back about 10% as well. Stiff neck is the main symptom for me. I get really itchy ears. The anxiety in the end got the better of me, but I dont get it now. I will try your exercises and see how I go !
Thank you for this. I have been dealing with unexplained unsteadiness for months now. It seemed to have also started up after a higher than normal anxious time in my life. I’ve always had anxiety, but nothing like it’s been this year, and a lot of it was triggered by health anxiety. Of course, now, with the constant swaying and whatnot- my anxiety is just as bad if not worse every single day. If I could make this dizzy feeling go away, my mental health would improve so much. I’ve been desperate for answers and went to see an ENT but nothing showed up. I’ve been concerned about my heart, my brain, blood pressure, etc… wondering if any of those things could be causing this feeling. I will say, if I’m sitting or laying down it feels better. If I’m driving in a car, it’s not really noticeable. When I’m exercising, like running, it’s also better. Maybe the quick movements distract me somehow? The only time it really bothers me is when I’m standing around or walking around, normally. Stores are absolute hell. Too much noise or visual stimulation, I’m immediately triggered. Sometimes it feels like I’m on an elevator and the floor drops beneath me. There are days when it seems like it’s less extreme than other days. I even had about a week where I thought it was gone for good, but it’s returned with a vengeance. I’m currently pregnant and I think, coupled with all the pregnancy symptoms, it’s made a turn for the worse again. Thank you for the vestibular therapy recommendation. That will be my next step!
You are a life saver for me🙏 thanks sooo much for caring enough to put this out there. I’ve been dealing with this for the past 3 years and honestly I’d rather be told i was dying than ” there’s nothing physically wrong or it sounds like anxiety. I’ve had 6 jobs in the last year because i couldn’t hold one down for long because of this. You’ve just described me to the tee and iam forever grateful😊.
Thank you so much for this! Wow I feel so relieved that I’ve come across this article! I feel like no one understands what I’m going through. I’ve spent so much money on medical appointments. When you said the gym or large areas I knew this could be what I’ve been experiencing. I literally have to look directly at the machine I’m using or the floor at the gym or I feel so dizzy like I’m going to pass out. Same when I go outside or to the grocery store. Thank you so much for sharing
This has just made my smile so so much, everything you said is something I have been experiencing this for a couple of years now. I also feel like I’m not in my own body too, like for example I could be at the pub with my friends and I’m looking around (so aware I am there with them) but just don’t feel like it’s actually me in my body. (Asthough I’m looking at my self) it’s sooo hard to explain ! So perusal this really has made me smile. THANKYOU
Everything. EVERYTHING you said describes my experience with dizziness over the last 27 months. Thank you so much. I’m going to show this to my husband. My starting event was being hit by a car while walking and a bad concussion/whiplash. I have been suffering for so long with no answers from so many doctors. I need to look more into PPPD.
This article has really helped me. These feelings started the exact same for me – I had two bad panic attacks 6 months ago – one while I was at work (I work in mental health). Then after awhile I started experiencing the unsteady feeling like I am on a boat when I am in large supermarkets. Been back and fourth to the doctors and they feel its part of my anxiety. I have started back at work again and I am feeling more confident. These sensations are less frightening now and I am a lot calmer dealing with them. Just wanted to say thanks for the article as it’s helped me understand more.
Holy shit – this is wild! I’ve been struggling with the what you are describing for months now! The symptoms are exactly the same, down to a tee! Had blood tests, gp visits etc trying to figure to find out what’s wrong with me. I’ve had to leave work half way through the day because the dizziness is so bad I’m unable to do anything and have to lie down.. I also have really bad hypochondria as well and this has put my mind at ease 100%. You are an angel, thank you for this article!
Thank you for this article, you described all of my symptoms I’ve been suffering from chronic dizziness for more than 2 years I tried vestibular therapy and it helped I noticed the difference I had my last session last week and I didn’t do any exercises this week and I’m feeling soooo dizzy so I’ll keep doing the exercises daily from now on and hopefully I get some relief soon 😮💨
Omg thank you so so so much for this! For the longest time I’ve thought I was the only person that experienced this. I have had constant dizziness for years now and I have been to countless doctors who basically told me that I’m perfectly healthy and they don’t know what’s wrong. I am so glad I stumbled on this article and I just want to thank you so so so much for telling your story!
Wow. Just, like WOW. I’ve had this for literally YEARS and have been looking online for years. I’ve learned to live with it. I’ve always known it’s anxiety related and I’ve had therapy to help, but this is the first time it’s been described back to me so accurately. This is so interesting and I totally agree with you that it’s an invisible disability – it’s dreadfully lonely, too because noone can understand it. And yes, the alcohol CAN make it better, it’s so weird.