Dizziness and lightheadedness can have a range of causes. Sometimes, dizziness may be a physical symptom of anxiety.
This article explains the link between anxiety and dizziness. It also covers other anxiety symptoms and available treatment options.
Dizziness can be a physical symptom of generalized anxiety disorder, according to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS).
However, the relationship between anxiety and dizziness is complex. Some people experience dizziness due to their anxiety, while others get dizzy and then feel anxious about it.
Anxiety may cause dizziness in several ways:
- Vasovagal syncope: This describes a common cause of fainting that happens when blood pressure suddenly drops, causing a person to feel dizzy and confused. A
2022 systematic reviewTrusted Source suggests that there may be a link between vasovagal syncope and emotional distress, which often occurs in people with anxiety and depression. - Subjective sensations: Anxiety may make a person feel emotionally unsteady, which may cause the subjective feeling of dizziness.
- Hyperventilation: Some people may hyperventilate when anxious. This unnatural breathing deprives the brain of oxygen and can cause a person to feel dizzy or even faint. People
may referTrusted Source to sudden hyperventilation resulting from anxiety as a panic attack.
Dizziness may also increase the risk of anxiety. When a person feels dizzy, they may worry about their health or fear fainting. These concerns can cause or intensify anxiety.
Anxiety symptoms vary between individuals, and a person’s anxiety may change with time. If someone has an anxiety disorder, the specific diagnosis may determine how their anxiety manifests.
For example, people with panic disorder may experience intense panic attacks, while those with generalized anxiety disorder may notice persistent, excessive anxiety.
- restlessness
- fatigue
- rapid heart rate
- nausea
- headaches
- muscle tension
- unexplained pain, such as stomachaches
- difficulty concentrating
- a feeling of dread or doom
- difficulty sleeping
- irritability
Anxiety resources
Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on anxiety.
Dizziness can be an alarming sensation that may trigger anxiety in some people.
Chronic dizziness vs. acute dizziness
Anxiety may cause both chronic and acute dizziness.
When a person always feels dizzy or frequently experiences bouts of dizziness, they have chronic dizziness.
Acute dizziness is a brief episode that may occur during a panic attack or after standing up too quickly.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a type of dizziness that can cause a person to feel as though they are moving or falling, even when standing still.
This sensation can be a very alarming experience, increasing the risk of anxiety. People with anxiety disorders have an
Anxiety can feel overwhelming, and a person may feel like they have lost control of their body and mind. However, anxiety is treatable. While some people try several treatments before something works, most can get relief with the right support.
A person could speak with a mental health professional to find out which treatments work best for them and their lifestyle.
- Therapy: A doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of psychotherapy helps a person better understand their thoughts and feelings. Other forms of therapy for anxiety include interpersonal therapy, exposure therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy.
- Medication: Doctors may recommend various medications for anxiety, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, antidepressants, and beta-blockers.
- Support: People with anxiety often benefit from support from loved ones and their community. Support groups may help a person identify useful lifestyle changes and treatment strategies.
- Lifestyle changes: People may find that certain changes, such as regular exercise, diet alterations, and a consistent sleep pattern, help ease anxiety.
The most effective treatment for dizziness depends on its cause.
The vestibular system helps regulate balance and enables a person to be aware of their location in space. The brain and inner ear work together to give a person a sense of balance. Disorders that affect these organs may also cause dizziness.
People with a
A wide range of medical conditions, including Ménière’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, may affect the vestibular system.
In many cases, it is possible to treat dizziness with medication, physical therapy, or surgery.
The right strategy for preventing dizziness depends on the underlying cause. According to the NHS, some strategies that may help include:
- Gentle breathing: Controlled breathing may prevent hyperventilation and ease anxiety.
- Lying down: This reduces the risk of fainting from dizziness.
- Avoiding certain substances: This may include caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol, and recreational drugs.
- Wearing compression stockings: People who faint from anxiety may be able to prevent their blood pressure from dropping by wearing compression stockings.
- Anxiety awareness: For some people, simply being aware that anxiety is the reason for dizziness can prevent a panic attack. Avoiding triggers and seeking anxiety treatment can also help.
In most cases, anxiety-related dizziness is not a major cause for concern. However, it is possible to have anxiety and another underlying condition that causes dizziness. Therefore, people with chronic dizziness and anxiety should not dismiss their symptoms.
When anxiety is the primary cause of dizziness, the dizziness may come and go. Acute episodes usually get better on their own, though a person may continue to experience dizziness relating to their anxiety. Treating anxiety often helps.
A person should consult a doctor if they:
- develop dizziness after taking a new medication
- experience severe and chronic dizziness
- experience other symptoms, such as vomiting
