Anxiety/Depression causing dizziness for 1 year now

[sjb559@gmail.com]

I have generalized anxiety and depression. I'm starting to accept the fact that I've chosen to be depressed and I'm the only one that can get me out of my anxiety and depression but need help. It first started a year ago with knowing that my work load at work was going to dramatically increase over three-four months. After going through a few weeks of stressing about the workload coming up, I finally asked to have this work released from me. I told my boss that if I didn't get this extra work taken away that my anxiety would get worse and I had a fear of it getting out of control or affect my health.

At the same time I started to get dizzy - not the kind where the room spins, but an imbalance in my head. Every time I move my head my eyes have to catch up with my brain. It's ongoing and never leaves me. It's even through when I turn my head at night on the pillow with my eyes closed. This dizziness also caused more anxiety and then depression followed. I'm also the type where I've tried many depression meds over the last 20 years and I can't tolerate them. I think my best medicine is to go through this program, continue with counseling, and read the bible, which I don't understand too much.

I'm now on short term disability so I can try to get back on track before I return. I need to laugh again and be happy at home and at work. I used to love my work and all the friends I've made there and had all the confidence in the world at work (not so much at home).

I've been to many doctors and they say to get out and be active and it will eventually go away. They also said to 'up' my anxiety meds. I tried that and it didn't work. They also said it could be an inner ear imbalance. Not sure what's really going on.

Does anyone relate to this or has anyone also had constant dizziness, lightheaded or imbalance feeling knowing it's not physical but from anxiety?

[Paisleegreen]

Hi SJB, Welcome to StressCenter.com! I've had dizziness like what you described and it was due to taking a certain anti-depressant. One that I use to take but changed, years ago to Cymbalta, then I went off of that and went on Serzone. This is a more sedating Anti-depressant and I was taking it along with Wellbutrin. Anyway, the serzone made me have all the symptoms you are describing. After falling a couple of times and other near misses I quit it cold turkey. Then experienced a "jelly or rubbery leg" feeling because I was just on Wellbutrin but have to add that I was going through some enormous stress at the time.

A Dr who substituted for my regular Psychiatrist put me on .5 mg of Xanax. I eventually weaned off of both the AD and xanax through CBT training and help from a Psychologist. Anyway, there is more but I found Lucinda's Program 7 or 8 mos ago thanks to my sister after I experienced some panic attacks a year ago along with anxiety. Since then things are getting straightened out I wish you the best and we're here for you. Paislee

[sjb559@gmail.com]

Thanks for replying. I'm on .25mg of xanax 2 - 3 times a day and it helps. I've eliminated all my other drugs as possible causes. I'm just so frustrated. Every I get up I feel the dizziness/off balance, do a few things around the house, then anxiety feeling hits and I sit back down. I'm not much of an exercise person, but my counselor says that's a must, and so did session 2.

[Paisleegreen]

Good for you SJB! Yes, exercising will make you feel better! I know that for a fact! Glad to hear from you. Paislee

[Cancun1]

I have the answer to your problem with dizziness and I think it will help you a great deal. I have battled with anxiety for the better part of my adult years. I have researched and educated myself on this matter extensively....Trust me!! Knowledge is power when it comes to this mental disorder....So here is your answer. Research has found that severe bouts with anxiety are due to either a life changing event that happened at some point in your life that effected you in a negative way....or....a chemical issue where your brain does not produce enough serotonin, ( the chemical that allows your body to stay in a calm state.)....Okay the same goes for your dizziness....Once again trust me because I have researched it and you got to believe somebody right? When your body has severe anxiety it can only keep up in that state for a short period of time...Roughly 1 to 2 hours at the most.....Then your body and all its glory produces another chemical that causes you to calm down especially if your serotonin is low and your body has been in a nervous state for a period of time. This chemical causes you to feel DIZZY!!! Why you ask? Because your body knows that if you are dizzy you are less likely to panic because how can you panic if you have no sense of balance and everything feels like you are on a boat in harsh waves...You can't! Anxiety is nothing more than a flight or fight response but it does make sense that the fight or flight is not much of a factor if you are dizzy and unbalanced...Right? Your body knows exactly what to do with every situation that it is put through...This feeling of dizziness you have is a good example...I have it too at times and just take it as knowing my body is doing exactly what it is suppose to be doing which is keeping me from having an anxiety attack...and your body is doing the same thing for you...I hope this helped...Stay Blessed

[sjb559@gmail.com]

Bless you! I have searched throughout this entire last year reading on some of the things you mentioned, but never had it explained to me like you did and I didn't find the entire research that you did. You've hit it on the nose and I can't thank you enough. I'm going to print your response to show it to my counselor and doctor. I've been to every type of doctor I could think of so they could tell me what's wrong with me and why am I dizzy and 'fix' it. They all said to 'up' my xanax. That's it. Nothing seemed physically wrong with me. Well, you've just explained it and it's so clear to me now. What I can't understand is that the doctors should know about the chemicals in the brain and the reactions that happen, especially my psychiatrist. I can't thank you enough for helping.

I have just had a breakthrough also. I went to church last weekend and I told my friend sitting next to me that the serman seemed to be directed at me for my benefit. It was basically telling me that there's good in each of us and we need to praise ourselves for our achievements. My friend also added that she has a friend whose daughter has a long time pain medical condition, but they never complain. That got me to thinking about myself. Seems to me that's what I've done to myself this last entire year is complain about my dizziness, 'the fear circle' which brought on the depression, then anxiety. I also listened to my first 3 tapes from this program in the last 2 day and it's remarkable. By accepting that I'm causing my own depression and that I have to be the one to correct it, to think positive about myself and who I used to be, it made me happier the last two days since I've been in the last year. Today is my first day with very minimal dizziness. In fact, I feel like I'll wake up tomorrow on the same healing path. I have to keep positive and think positive thoughts. No more feeling sorry for myself and no more worrying about yesterday or the future - stay in the present with positive thoughts.

Thank you again and bless you for helping.

[Cancun1]

Aww, you are so very welcome....Doctors cant tell you because they have not gone through what we have. In my opinion increasing your medication is just making you more helpless to anxiety. Medication only masks the anxiety but it does not cure it. Trust me once again when I say that your dizziness is due to your body coping with high anxiety. Try to not eat sugar, chocolate especially because it causes your adrenaline levels to elevate. Bananas are a great source of serotonin which is something the body cannot produce naturally...You either have an ample supply of it or not....also if you are not lactose intolerant milk is a good source as well. I wish you all the luck in the world with your journey to your new discovered life without the fear of anxiety. Stay Blessed.

[Paisleegreen]

Cancun1--Thanks for your explanation as well. This helps me to know more about what causes dizziness or a "dizzy feeling".
I agree, the xanax doesn't help, it was great last year after experiencing my first full blown panic attack, but when I take it now for that "once in a while" relief from anxiety, I get so tired. I also don't know if my tiredness might come from anxiety and negative thoughts as well.

I too, am working on changing my thinking and focusing on the here and now and keep working on "baby steps". I drink milk all the time and bananas as well. Thanks for your tips! Paislee