Anxiety and dizziness are related because many people experience mild to extreme dizziness as a symptom of anxiety. This can occur in its milder form for hours or even days while more severe dizziness may accompany a panic or anxiety attack. Most times this will be accompanied by other symptoms as well. Even those who do not feel anxious can experience anxiety along with dizziness, since anxious feelings are only one symptom.
Many patients do not realize that anxiety and dizziness are related, and those who do may not know that anxious feelings do not necessarily have to present at the same time as other symptoms. One may feel dizzy, lightheaded, short of breath, or fatigued without realizing that he or she suffers from anxiety. Similarly, anxious feelings can occur without any additional symptoms.
Sometimes patients do not realize they are suffering from anxiety because the condition has always been present and they may believe that frequent fear, worry, or depression is normal. Other times, fear reactions such as shortness of breath, pounding heart, and dizziness may be triggered by the body without emotional symptoms. Most times, anxiety symptoms are triggered by particular situations, thoughts, or events.
Severe anxiety and dizziness are usually associated with an anxiety disorder, such as generalized anxiety, social anxiety, or any number of phobias. Medications and counseling are the most common treatments. Although symptoms do not always have to occur together, most patients do have anxious feelings at least some of the time, and they oftentimes do occur in conjunction with physical symptoms.
Since dizziness and other physical issues related to anxiety often mimic other health conditions, it is important to get a diagnosis from a trained medical professional. Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, rapid heart rhythm, palpitations, dry mouth, lightheadedness, nausea, and sweating. Sometimes tightness in the chest and pain may also occur. Many patients believe they are having a heart attack during a panic attack and symptoms are very similar in nature.
If anxiety and dizziness are prolonged and there is no known cause, there may be an underlying disorder. Sometimes chronic stress can also cause these symptoms, so if there is a chronic stressful situation occurring, patients should remove themselves from it if possible. If that is not possible, such as after the death of a loved one, counseling is a good option for learning coping techniques. Medications may help lessen the severity of symptoms, but it is not a cure for most patients when used alone.