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Does Anxiety Cause Vertigo?

does anxiety cause vertigo?

Anxiety has been linked to a number of physical symptoms, including nausea, headaches, muscle cramps, GI issues, and more. But can it cause vertigo? 

Vertigo is a feeling similar to dizziness. 40% of U.S. adults will experience vertigo at least once in their lives, with a smaller percentage feeling it frequently or semi-frequently. Many say it increases or is triggered when they are stressed or anxious. The exact relation between anxiety and vertigo is a little more complicated than that—Stress can affect hormones that affect your balance.

This article will seek to understand the relationship between anxiety and vertigo and what can be done to mitigate the effects of them. 

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is the sensation that you or the world around you is spinning when you haven’t done any spinning. It is often triggered by changes in head position. It can result from various causes, including inner ear issues, brain problems, or medications. Symptoms of vertigo may include:

  • Feeling like the room is spinning or moving
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Unsteadiness or loss of balance

These symptoms can be unsettling and impact one's daily life, leading to feelings of discomfort and potential disruptions in normal activities. Although anxiety can be a cause of vertigo, if you experience vertigo frequently or severely, seek medical evaluation. Seeking medical evaluation is essential to determine the underlying cause of vertigo and appropriate treatment options.

Can Stress Cause Vertigo?

Vertigo is not a direct symptom of anxiety, but stress can cause vertigo if pre-existing physical factors are also present. This is because stress can affect hormones that interfere with your balance, which can cause vertigo. 

The Vestibular System

Stress is linked to vertigo through the vestibular system. The vestibular system is the organ in your inner ear that controls your balance. It is filled with fluids and tiny hairs. When you turn your head, the hairs detect which way the water is moving and determine what way your head is facing. When stress is high, it can cause dysfunction in the vestibular system.  

Cortisol and Other Stress Hormones

Anxiety releases a stress hormone called cortisolCortisol is thought to interfere with the transmission of neural information from the vestibular system to your brain. It blocks the information of which way your head is turned from getting to your brain, so your brain doesn’t know which way you’re facing. The result is feelings of dizziness or vertigo. 

Chronic anxiety will result in a build-up of cortisol that can interfere with this system. 

What’s the Relationship Between Anxiety and Vertigo?

Anxiety can interfere with our balance system, which can cause vertigo. You’re more likely to experience vertigo if you have an anxiety disorder. However, not everyone with anxiety has vertigo, as preexisting biological factors have to be present. 

Examples of anxiety-induced vertigo are someone with social anxiety feeling like the room is spinning when they have to give a presentation, or someone with a phobia of spiders feeling their vision blur when they find one in their home. 

Symptoms of Stress

In this overwhelming world we live in, stress is a common companion that can affect us all. Recognizing the symptoms of stress is the first step toward managing it effectively. Here are some signs that indicate you may be experiencing stress:

  1. Physical Symptoms:
    • Headaches
    • Muscle tension or pain
    • Fatigue or low energy
    • Insomnia or changes in sleep patterns
    • Upset stomach or digestive issues
    • Vertigo or dizziness
  2. Emotional Symptoms:
    • Feeling overwhelmed or anxious
    • Irritability or moodiness
    • Depression or sadness
    • Lack of motivation or focus
    • Racing thoughts or constant worrying
  3. Behavioral Symptoms:
    • Avoiding responsibilities or social interactions
    • Changes in appetite (eating too much or too little)
    • Increased use of substances like alcohol or tobacco
    • Procrastination or neglecting self-care routines
    • Restlessness or difficulty relaxing

Remember, recognizing these symptoms is a positive step toward managing your stress levels. Seeking support from a therapist, practicing self-care activities like mindfulness for anxiety or exercise, and making positive lifestyle changes can help you navigate through stress and move towards a brighter, healthier life. You are not alone in this journey, and with the right tools and support, you can overcome stress and thrive.

Causes of Stress

Some people have an anxiety disorder, in which there may not be one cause of anxiety (as with general anxiety disorder) or there may be one very specific cause (as with phobias or social anxiety). Other people experience varying levels of stress throughout their day, with different triggers such as: 

  1. Work Pressure: Deadlines, long hours, job insecurity, or conflicts at work can lead to significant stress.
  2. Relationship Challenges: Strained relationships with family, friends, or romantic partners can contribute to stress.
  3. Financial Strain: Money worries, debt, or financial instability are major sources of stress for many individuals.
  4. Major Life Changes: Events like moving, divorce, starting a new job, or loss of a loved one can cause high levels of stress.
  5. Health Concerns: Dealing with chronic illness, injury, or a loved one's health issues can be emotionally and mentally taxing.
  6. Uncertainty and Future Anxiety: Fear of the unknown, upcoming changes, or worrying about the future can lead to stress.
  7. Traumatic Experiences: Past trauma, abuse, or other traumatic events can continue to affect mental well-being and contribute to stress.
  8. Personal Expectations: Setting unrealistic goals, putting pressure on oneself for perfection, or constant self-criticism can create stress.

Remember, while these causes of stress are common, it's important to address them and seek support. Whether through therapy, self-care practices, or seeking help from loved ones, managing stress is possible, and you can take steps towards a brighter, more balanced life.

How to Stop Stress Vertigo

The best way to stop stress-induced vertigo is to calm yourself down. You can do this through:

  • Listen to calming music
  • Watch a distracting video
  • Meditate or do a mindfulness exercise
  • Breathwork, like the 3-3-3 method for anxiety or box breathing
  • If the vertigo gets bad enough, remove yourself from the situation 

If you continue to experience vertigo whenever you get stressed, consider addressing the underlying anxiety. For example, you could:

Therapy and anti-anxiety medication are a highly effective dual-method approach to anxiety. If your anxiety is severe or especially disabling, trying both of these methods can help. 

If your coping mechanisms aren’t enough to mitigate the effects of anxiety, talk to a therapist. Lifebulb has online anxiety therapists throughout the country. We offer little to no wait times and accept most major insurance plans. Contact our team to learn more or browse our list of anxiety therapists near you to find one that fits your needs. 

Don’t let anxiety or vertigo run your life anymore; get the help you deserve through therapy. 

Talk to us

Frequently Asked Questions

Vertigo is a distressing sensation where individuals feel as though the environment around them is spinning or moving, often triggered by changes in head position. It can stem from various causes such as inner ear issues, brain problems, or certain medications, impacting one's balance and overall sense of stability.

Anxiety is a common emotional response characterized by persistent worry, fear, or excessive unease. It's a natural reaction to stress but can become overwhelming when it interferes with daily life. Symptoms may include restlessness, rapid heart rate, and difficulty concentrating.

Yes, anxiety can indeed contribute to vertigo. The intense feelings of anxiety and stress can manifest physically, potentially triggering or exacerbating vertigo symptoms. Addressing underlying anxiety issues may help manage vertigo episodes as well.

Yes. The relationship between anxiety and vertigo can be complex. Factors such as heightened stress, inner ear disturbances, or neurological conditions can intertwine, leading to the co-occurrence of anxiety and vertigo. Seeking professional guidance can help unravel these connections for personalized treatment.

Therapy can be a valuable tool in managing both anxiety and vertigo. Working with a skilled therapist can provide a safe space to explore underlying causes, develop coping strategies, and learn relaxation techniques that may alleviate symptoms of both conditions. Building a trusting client-therapist relationship is key to navigating the challenges of anxiety and vertigo effectively.

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