ANXIETY DIZZINESS: WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO TREAT IT - ARTE - 2025

The dizziness anxiety are one of the most typical symptoms that appear when we experience high sensations of this disorder. However, dizziness can also be a source of anxiety, so when these symptoms appear the body can respond with more anxious sensations.

This fact shows that the relationship between dizziness and anxiety is very close and, furthermore, it is not based on a simple unidirectional relationship, but that both disorders can feed back on each other.

The reason why symptoms and anxiety are so closely linked lies with the vestibular system, an apparatus of the ear that is related to both balance and spatial control.

This system is made up of two widenings: the utricle and the saccule, and both are responsible for informing the position of the head in relation to the ground, so when alterations occur in this region, dizziness can easily be experienced.

The vestibular system consists of an inner ear on each side, making them specific areas of the brain and the nerves that connect them.

Likewise, this apparatus is closely related to the brain areas responsible for the brain, so the interaction between these two body regions causes the dizziness-anxiety interaction.

Description of anxiety dizziness

Feeling lightheaded

The dizziness that accompanies anxiety is often described as a feeling of lightheadedness or giddiness. This sensation is usually slightly different from the sensation of "normal" dizziness in which the sensations of vertigo or body discomfort may be more noticeable.

Likewise, in anxiety dizziness there may be a sensation of movement or that the head is spinning inside more than in the environment.

Sometimes a slight swaying sensation appears even when one is standing still, so certain spaces such as stores, crowded malls or wide open spaces can cause a feeling of imbalance.

It should be borne in mind that when people make an anxiety response, not only are we invaded by nervous thoughts, but our entire body responds in an anxious way.

It is the brain in charge of activating the entire organism when it detects a dangerous or anxious situation.

Physiological responses

Heart rate increases, muscle tension becomes more noticeable, pupils dilate, sweating increases…

These symptoms are easily recognized as the body's responses to an anxiety situation, since when we are nervous the body can adopt a form characterized by these sensations.

Dizziness appears in a similar way. When we are anxious, both our brain and our body modify their functioning, so highly unpleasant sensations can appear.

Thus, physiological changes in the brain also affect other regions, and the vestibular system is usually one of the most sensitive in these situations, a fact that explains the appearance of dizziness.

In fact, certain investigations show how in anxiety situations the vestibular system is affected practically in all cases. However, sometimes the alteration of this region of the inner ear does not translate into a feeling of dizziness.

Dizziness due to anxiety is understood as a response of the body to a certain physiological activation caused by an anxious state.

The main factor: the interpretation of the brain

However, the main factor that maintains anxiety states is the brain's interpretation of the body's anxious state. If we overactivate the body, tense our muscles or hyperventilate, the brain can interpret these symptoms as anxious and respond with a state of anxiety.

The same is true of dizziness. That is, since dizziness is a typical symptom of anxiety, the brain can interpret it as such and respond with nervous thoughts. To simplify the explanation, the brain could function in these terms;

"As the vestibular system is performing a typical function of anxiety (dizziness), perhaps I am in a dangerous situation and should make an anxiety response."

Obviously, since dizziness is not the only physical symptom of anxiety (there are many more), a simple dizziness does not usually cause a state of anxiety.

However, if the dizziness appears in an anxious context, that is, you are already nervous before its appearance and other physical symptoms of anxiety appear, it can cause a greater feeling of anxiety.

Duration

Dizziness due to anxiety is usually persistent over time and, although in some cases it has a brief appearance, it can manifest itself for days and weeks without interruption. In these cases, some people feel that the sensation they experience can be better described by the word unsteadiness than dizziness.

In any case, it is very likely that in the face of these sensations what is happening is an anxiety dizziness that appears through the mechanisms explained in the previous section.

These symptoms are usually very annoying and the people who experience them can have the perception of swaying (without feeling that everything is spinning) in a persistent and continuous way.

Likewise, this type of dizziness usually makes it difficult to fix the gaze and, on occasions, can precipitate the feeling that it is the beginning of something worse (falling, fainting, having a serious illness, etc.).

Thus, dizziness can lead to even more anxiety and nervousness when thinking in these terms. This fact is highly negative since the person can enter a loop from which it is very difficult to get out.

Consequences

The feeling of dizziness can cause negative thoughts that cause anxiety, but the most important thing is that dizziness is caused by anxiety itself, so if the dizziness increases nervousness, the dizziness will also increase and a vicious cycle will form that is difficult to overcome..

In these situations, the first thing to do, or better said, know and become aware, is that anxiety dizziness is not dangerous.

When anxiety is the cause of dizziness, there is little to worry as in these cases, the feeling of instability and dizziness does not indicate a serious physical problem or a malfunction of the brain. In fact, the only thing these symptoms indicate is a state of anxiety, that is, it is a sign that you are nervous.

In order to end this more than annoying symptom, what you have to intervene and reduce is anxiety, since the dizziness will not disappear while there are high levels of nervousness.

However, if the state of anxiety is reduced or even eliminated, the feeling of dizziness will disappear automatically.

Treatment

From the foregoing it is extracted that anxiety dizziness is overcome by treating anxiety in the same way that sadness due to depression is overcome by treating depression.

Likewise, we have also seen how anxiety dizziness in itself is not dangerous, so the appearance of these symptoms should not cause excessive alarm.

However, vertigo and dizziness are symptoms that can greatly scare and limit people's daily lives. Likewise, dizziness is an inexhaustible source of discomfort, reduces the quality of life and increases suffering.

In addition, it must be taken into account that although dizziness is not dangerous in itself, it can have negative consequences, since it can increase anxiety and be the trigger for a panic attack.

Medical examination

The first requirement to treat this type of problem is based on a medical examination that rules out any other health problem that may cause or be involved in dizziness.

Once this fact has been ruled out, you can begin to treat dizziness through anxiety interventions through psychotherapy.

Therapy

The objective of psychological therapy will not focus on reducing dizziness but will be based on reducing anxiety, since when the anxious state disappears the dizziness will also disappear.

Thus, anxiety dizziness is treated through psychological techniques for anxiety.

Today there are many treatments and techniques that are effective in reducing anxiety levels. Relaxation training, the technique of detecting and coping with the dreaded consequence, exposure, cognitive therapy or problem solving are some examples.

References

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3. Hofmann, SG, Fang, A. i Gutner, CA (2014). Cognitive enhancers for the treatment of anxiety disorders. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, 32 (1), 183-195.
4. Normann, N., Van Emmerik, AAP i Morina, N. (2014). The efficacy of metacognitive therapy for anxiety and depression: A meta-analytic review. Depression and Anxiety, 31 (5), 402-411.