Many people are surprised when they experience dizziness and lightheadedness in stressful situations. The simple answer to this question, “Can stress cause vertigo anxiety?” is yes. Stress causes vertigo and anxiety. Let’s understand how anxiety, stress, and vertigo are connected. Being aware of this connection can help you feel less afraid and gain control over your experiences.
It’s important to remember that stress-related vertigo can be cured. Many patients report that their vertigo resolves after learning stress management techniques. A mental health professional, such as a board-certified neurologist, is a medical expert in helping people break the cycle where anxiety causes physical symptoms, which then increase anxiety levels. This expertise is directly applicable to stress-related vertigo.
Stress and Vertigo
Stress can have many effects on your body. When you’re stressed, your body releases certain chemicals called hormones. Hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are the body’s way of responding to threats. However, these same hormones can, in some cases, affect the inner ear, which is the part of the body responsible for balance.
You can think of it this way: Your inner ear is like a tiny balance system inside the head. When stress hormones flood your body, they can disrupt this balanced system. This disorder can make you feel like the world is spinning, even when you’re sitting perfectly still.
How does stress cause vertigo?
Stress can cause the body to overreact in several ways, leading to vertigo. These include:
- Stress hormones can disrupt the body’s balance system, causing dizziness.
- Tension in the neck and shoulder muscles can cause headaches and dizziness.
- Stress can alter blood flow to the brain.
- Changes in breathing during stress can also lead to poor oxygen levels.
- An increased heart rate can cause dizziness.
Anxiety can also exacerbate these stress-related symptoms. A person’s heart rate may increase, breathing may become difficult, and they may experience excessive worry. When combined, all of these things can aggravate vertigo.
Research behind stress and vertigo
Scientists have further detailed their research by analyzing thousands of people. In a large study, researchers followed more than 15,000 people for 9 years. This revealed important findings:
- People with anxiety disorders were significantly more likely to experience vertigo.
- Women suffered more from it than men.
- This connection was not only real but also measurable.
This research demonstrated that vertigo symptoms aren’t just a figment of people’s imagination. The medical community reports that stress and anxiety can trigger vertigo symptoms.
Why does this happen to some people and not others?
Every individual has their own strengths and weaknesses. Some people may experience stomach upset when stressed; others may experience migraines. Some people are more likely to develop this condition when they face highly stressful situations. This doesn’t mean you have a problem or are weak. It simply means your body responds to stress in this way.
Here are some reasons you might experience stress-induced vertigo:
- Being female (studies show it’s more common in women)
- Having other medical conditions that can affect blood flow
- Having hypersensitivity in your body
- Having had vertigo from another cause before
What does stress-induced vertigo feel like?
The effects of stress-induced vertigo vary depending on the individual’s circumstances. Some people report that they experience:
- Literally felt like the whole room was spinning around them, even when they’re actually sitting still
- Felt unsteady or lost their balance
- Felt like they were about to fall
- Their whole body felt cold, even down to their stomach
- Became difficult for them to walk straight
These feelings can be frightening, especially at first, but you should know that, although uncomfortable, vertigo, which is commonly associated with stress, isn’t dangerous.
The anxiety connection
Anxiety and stress are very similar emotions. Anxiety can also cause symptoms similar to vertigo. When people are worried about something, especially a specific situation, they may experience hyperarousal. Basically, this occurs when you reach your breaking point and decide on the next step in treatment, if any. There comes a point in this process when your body becomes more than just sensitive. It becomes extremely sensitive and perceives everything happening around you.
When you experience hyperarousal, you may feel:
- Your heart beats faster (feels very fast)
- Trembling or shaking
- Difficulty controlling your breathing
- Dizziness, which can turn into vertigo
The pattern of anxiety can also be reversed, and when anxiety becomes too intense, the body is unable to “power down.” As a result, dizziness and vertigo may occur.
How long do these symptoms last?
The duration of vertigo, which is not associated with stress or anxiety, can range from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the individual. On the other hand, some people may experience it multiple times a day. This is rare, but sometimes it can persist if the anxiety causing it isn’t addressed.
Additionally, the time depends on several factors:
- How long have you been under stress?
- How difficult is the stress-causing situation?
- How often have you had vertigo?
Note that as your anxiety level decreases, your vertigo symptoms will also subside. This is different from vertigo caused by an inner ear infection or other medical problem, which isn’t necessarily related to your stress level but can last longer.
What to do to improve your condition?
There are several ways to deal with stress-induced vertigo:
Quick solutions:
- Lie down in a quiet, dark room
- Try breathing slowly several times
- Try focusing on something that doesn’t move
- Drink water slowly
- Avoid bright lights and loud noises
Daily stress management:
- Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night
- Eat a regular, balanced diet
- Go for a jog or hike occasionally
- Use regular relaxation techniques
- Consume caffeine and alcohol in moderation
When is it time to seek help?
When the stress of vertigo becomes a daily problem, seeking help from a mental health professional, such as a board-certified psychiatrist in Florida, is a must. Consider seeking help if:
- Trying to avoid work because of vertigo and anxiety, as dizziness is very frightening.
- Staying awake for periods of time without doing anything because of self-inflicted symptoms.
- Feeling anxious due to daily stress.
- You fear vertigo episodes so much that you avoid even simple tasks
- Using excessive alcohol or other substances to cope with anxiety.
- Persistent sadness that interferes with your relationship with loved ones
- Your anxiety about vertigo is causing you more stress
Remember that seeking help isn’t just about physical health; mental health needs your support, too. Mental health professionals are highly skilled at helping people with stress-related vertigo. They offer personalized approaches to help you cope with your specific problems.
With the help of telepsychiatry, connecting with an expert psychiatrist online becomes easy. However, regarding psychiatric medications, please keep in mind that this applies if you are consulting an online psychiatrist for anxiety or any other mental health issue. For example, if you reside in Long Island, only an online psychiatrist Long Island licensed psychiatrist can prescribe medications.
When people suffer from vertigo associated with a stressful systemic condition, they feel frustrated and scared. It’s crucial to seek professional help and speak kindly to yourself when developing coping strategies.
