Anxiety can affect people in different ways. Some people will experience anxiety together with a specific type of dizziness called vertigo. Anxiety vertigo can feel like you or the environment around you is spinning.
Anxiety vertigo is not an official medical term or diagnosable condition. It describes the spinning sensation, dizziness, and balance issues that you may notice alongside, or as a symptom of, anxiety.
Vertigo and anxiety often exist together. For some people, having anxiety can make you more likely to develop dizziness and vertigo. But for others, vertigo can lead to increased anxiety levels.
About vertigo
Vertigo describes the feeling that you or your environment is spinning or moving. Vertigo may cause you to:
- feel dizzy
- lose your balance
- feel nauseous
- be sick
Vertigo is a symptom and not a condition itself. It is often caused by inner ear issues, also called vestibular disorders. It can also be associated with other conditions like migraine or injuries to the head or neck.
How does vertigo link to anxiety?
Anxiety may trigger or worsen vertigo. The development of vertigo and inner ear issues also seems to be higher in people who experience anxiety. Vertigo can feel very uncomfortable and may also make you more likely to feel anxious.
In a 2017 study of 621 people, 30% of people with vertigo had also been diagnosed with another condition. For around 50% of these people, this other condition was an anxiety disorder.
A 2023 study also found that severe vertigo was 4.65 times more common in people with anxiety than in those who did not have anxiety.
Why might anxiety cause vertigo symptoms?
Evidence suggests that people with an anxiety disorder have a higher chance of developing vertigo. One study from 2005 suggests this may be because high levels of stress can make you more likely to experience vertigo.
Research from 2012 suggests that stress hormones can lead to inner ear issues. Other experts suggest that anxiety may stand in the way of effective treatment for vertigo and lead to long-term dizziness and balance issues.
Why might vertigo cause anxiety?
Several studies suggest that anxiety levels are higher for those with vertigo. This may be because damage to the balance centers in the body can affect your mental health.
Other researchers suggest that dizziness is the bodily sensation most likely to cause anxiety in people who are prone to feeling anxious.
If you have vertigo, you may:
- be more nervous about falling
- have a fear of heights
- fear the dizziness itself
All of these worries can increase a person’s anxiety levels.
Other experts also highlight the effect vertigo can have on the parts of the brain responsible for emotional reactions. As a result, this can make it harder to deal with stress and lead to long-term anxiety.
How to manage anxiety vertigo with medication
The right treatment can help you to stop anxiety vertigo or to manage it more effectively.
To provide short-term treatment for vertigo, your doctor may recommend medications to manage the spinning sensation. These include antihistamines like meclizine (Antivert or Dramamine) or benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan), which are also used short-term in anxiety treatment.
Your doctor will also work to determine the cause of your symptoms, including conditions like anxiety or inner ear issues. Depending on the diagnosis, your doctor may recommend treatment for each individual condition or a combined treatment plan.
For an inner ear disorder such as benign positional vertigo (BPV) or Meniere’s Disease, your doctor may recommend physical therapy or brain exercises to help you with your balance. Doctors may also prescribe medications like corticosteroids.
Treatment for anxiety can include medications such as:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac)
- serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil)
- benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan) and alprazolam (Xanax).
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Get free cardManaging anxiety vertigo naturally
For some people, anxiety vertigo is only an occasional occurrence, but for others, it can last long term. How long the vertigo lasts will depend on what’s causing it. However, there are some steps you can take to help you manage anxiety vertigo naturally:
- reducing caffeine
- avoiding alcohol
- choosing lower-sodium foods
- avoiding highly processed foods like sugary cereals or snacks
- talk therapy
- relaxation techniques like meditation
Your doctor or other healthcare professional can discuss the right complementary therapies for you in the context of your medical treatment plan.
When to contact a doctor
If you are noticing a spinning sensation regularly, it is important to speak with your doctor. Your doctor can help you understand what may be causing the spinning feeling and ways you can manage it.
Summary
Anxiety vertigo is a spinning feeling that often occurs alongside anxiety. For some people, anxiety itself triggers or worsens this vertigo. For others, an inner ear or other condition causes the vertigo, which anxiety also accompanies. Some people with vertigo will also be more likely to develop anxiety.
Vertigo can feel very uncomfortable and get in the way of your day-to-day life. However, your doctor can determine what may be causing the spinning sensation and help you find effective treatment.