Anxiety and "Dizziness"

[billash]

Hi all - hope everyone is good.
Jus wanted to ask - has anyone had the experience of dizziness from anxiety (stupid question I know BUT-), what I mean is, how do u experience the dizziness (room moving or feeling in head or lightheadedness etc etc?
Im just wondering as dizziness is one of my total phobias and Im trying so hard but its really difficult to know what's Dizziness and whats "anxiety symptom dizziness" if that makes any sense.

Any info would be great.
Thanks

[Olive Yew]

Oh yes!! Here this might help you:

Dizziness or light-headedness

What you feel:

You feel suddenly light-headed, woozy or dizzy. This is sometimes accompaniedby a feeling that you might faint or pass out. It also may feel as though youare walking on a boat, or that the floor seems to move up and down and it's hardto balance. You may also have difficulty placing your feet because yourperception of the ground or floor may be wrong. In some cases it may seem thateven though you are standing on a firm floor, the floor may be vibrating ormoving.
This is a very common feeling that most sufferers get. It's usually as a result of hyperventilation but also of intense fear and the adrenalin hit.
Feeling faint is very worrying and very frightening. You feel as though you are going to pass out or the whole world seems to be spinning and you cannot focus on anything. Your vision is blurred and this causes more Panic as you are now 'sure' that you will pass out or collapse.
Even when you convince yourself that you will not faint, the feeling of un-steadiness or dizziness remains. This feeling can go on for minutes or hours and there seems to be no end to it.
What causes this:

This symptom has a few variations. Some people may experience a sudden head rush feeling, which goes almost as quickly as it comes. As long as the individual doesn't react with more fear, the symptom will come and go and will vary in frequency from a number of times per day, to a few times a month.
Another variation includes a constant state of unbalance, spinning, wooziness, fogginess and so on. Often it is accompanied by a feeling that you may pass out (some people do, however, that's not common).
This symptom has a few causes. It could be from a blood sugar imbalance, hyperventilation (not getting enough oxygen) or an inner ear or ear pressure condition.
This is a common symptom and sometimes an individual can experience both forms, and at different times.
There are tests available that can accurately identify a blood sugar imbalance, however, most often this isn't the main cause. Typically, those with anxiety disorder have their blood sugar levels within the safe range when tested. However, long periods without eating may aggravate the condition because blood sugar levels may drop too low because of not eating. It's important to eat regular wholesome and natural food so that the fluctuations in blood sugar remain in the normal range.
If you are experiencing this symptom, having medical tests may be beneficial - certainly, to rule out any other cause.
If your symptom is a result of hyperventilation, deliberately deep slow breathing will reduce and even eliminate this symptom. While deep relaxation will help to diminish and eliminate most symptoms, I found that this symptom is one that hangs on the longest, and is the least responsive to immediate counter action. However, regular exercise provided me with results though not immediate.
Try to steady your breathing and sit quietly somewhere so that you can concentrate on it. The more you Panic and worry, the worse you will feel.
Try to occupy and distract your mind with something so you don't focus on the dizziness and if necessary sit down for a while to help get your balance back.
As with all symptoms, when the nervous system gets sufficient rest, this symptom will diminish and eventually subside.

[Lee Grant Irons]

Hi billash,

It is important to clarify the definitions, so that you will know how to explain it to your doctor. Feeling dizzy is feeling like your surroundings are spinning or tilting. It can throw you off balance. Feeling lightheaded is feeling like your vision is graying out or like you are about to pass out.

So, based on these definitions, are you feeling, one of dizzy, lightheaded, or both.

[billash]

Thanks guys - its definatley NOT lightheaded feeling. I suffer from low BP at times so am used to lightheadedness. This is more of an imbalance feeling (Not room spinning stuff but definatley a feeling as if its about to happen - but doesnt). Its almost like what OLIVE YEW said (thanks Olive).- It seems like an imbalance but not hyperventilation /Blood sugar- but again not "true spinning". Its really odd and I wish i could work out WTF it actually is. If I knew it was "just anxiety" - that would help. Its the not knowing thats killing me.
Thanks again

[Lee Grant Irons]

Here is a good link I found that might explain it (click here) (http://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/signs/vertigo).

[Olive Yew]

That's my kryptonite with EVERYTHING. I want to KNOW. I'm old enough (or crazy enough) that i'm not satisfied with my parents telling me i'm fine and healthy. I want someone who knows the human body to look every inch of me over and tell me i'm healthy and fine. My mom tells me to relax and that my symptom is nothing to worry about and first words out of my mouth are "how do you KNOW?" :( i have trust issues

[rhar]

This dizziness is what feeds my anxiety attacks
Some days I have none then other days it's hell

[The Valeyard]

Yes, though I mostly have the fear of becoming dizzy. Sometimes that makes me dizzy, worrying about being dizzy.

[rhar]

Yes, though I mostly have the fear of becoming dizzy. Sometimes that makes me dizzy, worrying about being dizzy.
Yep same!!
As soon as I wake up I'm thinking "am I dizzy, am I lightheaded" then I think I talk myself into it.

I don't even know if it's dizzy.. It's just a really awful feeling that makes me feel like I'm going to pass out. It's the only symptom I have left and I can't shake it. It's the worst

[The Valeyard]

Yeah, it's pretty disturbing. Sometimes I get afraid that I'll be stuck in a corner and be unable to move.