Anxiety and Dizziness

Dizziness is actually a non-specific term used to describe certain symptoms, such as feeling lightheaded, faint, weak, nauseous, or unsteady. Most people see their doctors immediately when they experience any dizziness, and that is mainly because the symptoms can be very uncomfortable at times. While the condition can make you feel concerned, it is usually not due to anything very serious. In fact, anxiety and dizziness are related with each other.

Can Anxiety Cause Dizziness?

Yes, it is possible to feel dizzy when you have anxiety or are experiencing anxiety attacks. Anxiety can make you feel dizzy from the following aspects:

  • Hyperventilation: It makes you feel dizzy because it disturbs your oxygen-carbon dioxide balance. During an anxiety attack, it is natural to feel hyperventilated as the result of breathing too quickly. You may also develop this condition if you have poor breathing patterns, which will then lead to insufficient supply of oxygen to your body.
  • Panic: Dizziness may well be a symptom associated with panic attacks. When you panic, it is natural to feel the rush of adrenaline, which is responsible for making you feel dizzy and lightheaded.
  • Vision Problems: You may notice lightheadedness and dizziness when you have certain vision problems. That happens because your brain has difficulties in interpreting your vision due to the problems you have.
  • Dehydration: Not drinking enough water leads to dehydration, and dehydration can cause dizziness. Your dehydration symptoms become severe when you are also anxious or are experiencing panic attacks.

Anxiety and dizziness may be present at the same time, but you are less likely to feel dizzy for too long in this situation. If you feel dizzy more often and for extended time, it could be due to other underlying conditions such as multiple sclerosis or even low blood pressure. If you experienced lightheadedness for the first time in your life which was severe as well, you should see your doctor immediately to identify the underlying cause.

How to Overcome Dizziness Related with Anxiety

1. Deep Breathing

Deep breathing helps improve the supply of oxygen to your brain and relaxes your nervous system. This helps reduce dizziness quickly.

  • Lie down on the floor with a hand on your abdomen and the thumb of your other hand placed against one nostril.
  • Close your mouth and breathe in through your open nostril. Fill in your belly and feel your hand on the abdomen moving up.
  • Hold your breath for a few seconds by closing your other nostril as well.
  • Exhale slowly after 3 seconds. Do 10 reps.
  • Be sure to sit quietly for 5 minutes after performing the exercise and breathe normally.

2. Drink Water

Not getting enough fluids can make you become dehydrated, which will lead to dizziness. You may experience the same when you engage in strenuous workouts and do not drink enough water to rehydrate your body. Diarrhea or vomiting can also cause excessive fluid loss.

  • Be sure to drink a glass of water when you feel dizzy. This helps rehydrate your body and prevent dizziness.
  • Try including herbal tea in your diet. You can also drink fruit juices, soups, and broths.

3. Eat Something

Anxiety and dizziness are related, and being hungry for extended hours can lower your blood sugar levels and can also make you feel dizzy. This is especially common in people who have diabetes. To resolve the issue, you should eat something when you feel dizzy and ensure you do not remain hungry for extended hours to prevent dizziness. You can opt for the following:

  • Have a snack high in sugar or carbs like a banana or a chocolate bar.
  • Enjoy any fruit with high water content to prevent dehydration.
  • Have a bowl of yogurt with any fruit.
  • Eat a handful of roasted nuts like almonds, cashews, or walnuts.

4. Change Your Position

When you feel lightheaded, you should change your position. Sit if you are standing and lie down if you are sitting. You should not try to walk when you are feeling dizzy because there is an increased risk of an injury. Here is what you should do:

  • Put your head in a lower position in case you are sitting down and are feeling lightheaded.
  • Be sure to remain lying down or seated for a couple of minutes or until the dizziness has passed completely.

5. Focus on a Spot

You should find a particular spot and focus on it to get dizziness under control. The technique helps dancers maintain a better control over their bodies while dancing. You can try the same.

  • Just focus on a spot like a speck of dirt on the floor or a crack on the wall to lessen the sensation of spinning around.

6. Try the Epley Maneuver

The maneuver involves titling your neck and head in a specific way to treat symptoms of dizziness or vertigo. Here is how to do it:

  • Sit down and tile your head towards one side. Maintain a 45 degrees angle.
  • Lie back while keeping your head at the same angle and maintain this position for a couple of minutes.
  • Now, turn your head again but towards the other side. You should keep your head tilted at a 90-degree angle. Slowly roll your body towards the same direction until you are looking at the floor.
  • Maintain the position for another minute or so and then return to a seated position.

7. Overcome Anxiety

Dealing with stress and anxiety is never easy, and that is why you may have a hard time to solve the problem of anxiety and dizziness. Nevertheless, you can take certain steps to avoid becoming overwhelmed in your daily life. For instance:

  • Try something that reduces stress. It could be a change of job, a different working schedule, reduced hours, or spending more time working from home.
  • Try natural stress-relieving methods, such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and tai chi. 
 
 
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