Sudden strange dizziness - Vertigo??

[asus15]

Hi all

I need reassyrance here you will have to excuse my typing as im having a panic attack during this. I'v recently had a REALLY bad episode of anxiety i was basically bed ridden for 2 weeks i lost almost a stone in weight. During this time i got rather dizzy which could last most of the day.

I've managed to get off the anxiety trip and i've been sort of anxious the past few days. but no where near as bad. during this time the dizziness has gone.

Today though after my GF left i was fine for awhile sat at my pc for abit to play a game and suddenly i got extremely bad dizziness like the room was tipping and i was really off balance. I went on my bed and closed my eyes and i noticed my eyes were pulling to the left as if i was turning but i was still.

Now i've got the kind of light dizziness i had when i was anxious. my anxiety has flared up again now and im scared.

What is this? I'm really scared that something is wrong.

[TooMuchToLiveFor]

Hi, Rotunda,
Check this out from the "Symptoms" link at the top left of this page:

Dizziness or light-headedness

What you feel:

You feel suddenly light-headed, woozy or dizzy. This is sometimes accompaniedby a feeling that you might faint or pass out. It also may feel as though youare walking on a boat, or that the floor seems to move up and down and it's hardto balance. You may also have difficulty placing your feet because yourperception of the ground or floor may be wrong. In some cases it may seem thateven though you are standing on a firm floor, the floor may be vibrating ormoving.
This is a very common feeling that most sufferers get. It's usually as a result of hyperventilation but also of intense fear and the adrenalin hit.
Feeling faint is very worrying and very frightening. You feel as though you are going to pass out or the whole world seems to be spinning and you cannot focus on anything. Your vision is blurred and this causes more Panic as you are now 'sure' that you will pass out or collapse.
Even when you convince yourself that you will not faint, the feeling of un-steadiness or dizziness remains. This feeling can go on for minutes or hours and there seems to be no end to it.
What causes this:

This symptom has a few variations. Some people may experience a sudden head rush feeling, which goes almost as quickly as it comes. As long as the individual doesn't react with more fear, the symptom will come and go and will vary in frequency from a number of times per day, to a few times a month.
Another variation includes a constant state of unbalance, spinning, wooziness, fogginess and so on. Often it is accompanied by a feeling that you may pass out (some people do, however, that's not common).
This symptom has a few causes. It could be from a blood sugar imbalance, hyperventilation (not getting enough oxygen) or an inner ear or ear pressure condition.
This is a common symptom and sometimes an individual can experience both forms, and at different times.
There are tests available that can accurately identify a blood sugar imbalance, however, most often this isn't the main cause. Typically, those with anxiety disorder have their blood sugar levels within the safe range when tested. However, long periods without eating may aggravate the condition because blood sugar levels may drop too low because of not eating. It's important to eat regular wholesome and natural food so that the fluctuations in blood sugar remain in the normal range.
If you are experiencing this symptom, having medical tests may be beneficial - certainly, to rule out any other cause.
If your symptom is a result of hyperventilation, deliberately deep slow breathing will reduce and even eliminate this symptom. While deep relaxation will help to diminish and eliminate most symptoms, I found that this symptom is one that hangs on the longest, and is the least responsive to immediate counter action. However, regular exercise provided me with results though not immediate.
Try to steady your breathing and sit quietly somewhere so that you can concentrate on it. The more you Panic and worry, the worse you will feel.
Try to occupy and distract your mind with something so you don't focus on the dizziness and if necessary sit down for a while to help get your balance back.
As with all symptoms, when the nervous system gets sufficient rest, this symptom will diminish and eventually subside.


After panic attacks it is normal to experience "after shocks" for quite awhile. Mine usually lasted about a week, but once my fear of another attack started rising I wasn't able to get out of the loop.

What are you doing to treat your anxiety? Have you spoken to your GP? Therapy?

I strongly suggest reading "Hope and Healing for Your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes. Do not delay in seeking real treatment for your anxiety.

[CertifiableMe]

I am far from experienced in this kind of thing, but will share my experiences.

I had a very similar thing when I was drinking heavily on my medication during a bad spell. When I got to the end of the day, I would get these dizzy spells - which at the time i did not realise were alleviated by drinking.

I ended up speaking with my doctor about it because i thought it was the medication (Idiot! lol) and he explained that it was the interaction of the drink with the meds.

You make no mention of whether or not you drink, but maybe you are consuming something which is interacting with any meds you may be on.

Best of luck with it.

[asus15]

Hi thanks for your reply. feeling ok now iv calmed down. I'm pretty sure this is anxiety related as iv had sudden extreme dizzy spells while sat on my pc before.


What are you doing to treat your anxiety? Have you spoken to your GP? Therapy?

I am on citaropram 20mg and i have diazeipam for energencys. I'm also seeking therapy this month (28th).


I strongly suggest reading "Hope and Healing for Your Nerves" by Dr. Claire Weekes. Do not delay in seeking real treatment for your anxiety.

Funnily enough i am reading this book right now.. although mines "self help for your nerves" is it the same book???


You make no mention of whether or not you drink, but maybe you are consuming something which is interacting with any meds you may be on.

I drank Pepsi which is juiced up with caffine and sugar... Now i think of it last time this happened i drank regular pepsi too... hmmm... but no i don't drink alchahol at all anymore.