Stress Center Peer Support

Okay, I pretty much only suffer now from vertigo or feelings of being off balance in stores or sometimes at work. It is like a zap of dizziness. I know it is anxiety but it still keeps happening. I think it is because I am expecting it to happen. It is a horrible cycle. Unfortunately it is affecting me enjoying things and then of course me feeling disappointed that it happened again. Does anyone have any pointers on how to get rid of this particular symptom? Any helpful advice would be greatly appriciated.

I have a lot of trouble with this symptom myself. It's one of the last remaining ones that I can't seem to kick.

What helps me most when I feel the vertigo coming on is to "ground" myself. By this I mean to touch things around me, jump up and down, anything to make me feel like I'm on a solid surface. Even walking briskly helps for me.

On the positive side, I've never passed out or fallen down. I've had anxiety for many years now so I'm pretty sure that I'm safe! It's still scary when it happens, but I keep reminding myself that nothing can happen to me.

Good luck,
Jamie

I have this same symptom and it seems to be one of the most bothersome. Nothing quite like feeling your about to fall down to take your mind out of the present moment and into your head, right? Just last night I was helping host a teen RockBand competition and I was singing with my troupe of teens. (did I mention I am 41? eh, who cares, it was fun) Anyway, here comes that feeling right in the middle of belting out a Kansas song... I had to drag a chair over and sat in it clinging to the seat like I was on a roller coaster ride or something! sheesh. Yeah, this one is a tough one to "ride out" I have never actaully fallen over or passed out but.. sure have believed I was about to.

As it was happening I kept saying to myself, "This is just a thought and it will pass. The more I ride it out the better I will become" I totally hear you about the disappointment. I came home and caught myself instead of congratulating myself for going to a big, busy public event and getting up in front of a bunch of people, just focusing on how crappy I felt about having that feeling and how much it robs from me. We shall just keep fighting the good fight.

Thanks for your feedback it is good to know I am not the only one. I just wish there was a magic button to press to make it stop happening! It is very frustrating and alot of times hard for my loved ones to understand exactly how I am feeling or realize that being in public places is such a struggle.

This is what I'm trying to get rid of too. If someone has , I would like to know how.

I too have the dizzy problem. I can't figure out why i can be completely fine some days and others feel so dizzy and out of control. I can't figure out anything that I may be doing differently on those days. Sometimes I think it may be a hormonal imbalance that causes the anxiety level too skyrocket.