Stress and Dizziness: A Guide to Understanding the Relationship

Dizziness is a common symptom of anxiety and stress. It is possible to experience vertigo-like symptoms with stress and anxiety. 

Stress can have a detrimental effect on many bodily systems, such as your heart and lungs, digestive system and even mental wellbeing.

When we are stressed, our bodies release a barrage of chemicals and hormones – such as cortisol and adrenaline. These release neurotransmission inhibitors which have numerous negative effects on your health.

A Comprehensive Guide to Stress and Dizziness

Stress is a normal part of life

Stress is an inevitable part of life, but if left unchecked, can have detrimental effects on one’s health. People who experience chronic stress often develop high blood pressure, muscle pain, digestive problems and heart disease – just to name a few!

Everyone experiences some form of stress daily–whether positive or negative. To effectively manage this stress, it’s essential to identify what triggers it for yourself and create a strategy for dealing with it effectively.

Stress causes our bodies to respond by sending brain chemicals that increase heart rate and breathing speed as well as tighten muscles – this is known as the fight-or-flight response and it’s designed to protect us from potential threats.

While caffeine can help you stay alert and energetic in crisis situations, it can also make it harder to fall asleep at night and cause headaches.

Stress can be caused by a variety of things, including what you think about and how you feel. It could be an external event like a job change, or something within you such as a relationship that’s causing distress.

Stress can cause dizziness

Stress is a normal response to life’s difficulties, but prolonged stress can have long-lasting effects on your body. 

It has the potential to negatively impact major systems like your heart, lungs and blood pressure; thus it’s essential to be aware of its negative consequences and take steps to mitigate them.

Dizziness is a common sign of stress, which can range from lightheadedness to feeling off balance or disoriented. If you experience these symptoms – which also include nausea, vomiting or an overwhelming sense of falling over – it’s essential that you see your doctor; these could indicate an underlying medical issue.

If you experience chronic stress and dizziness, try to relax by avoiding situations that might trigger these symptoms. 

Additionally, there are strategies that can help relax both body and mind such as breathing techniques or visualizations.

If you are suffering from vertigo-like symptoms, a doctor may suggest taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs help the brain regulate anxiety which in turn may cause dizziness.

Stress can cause vertigo

When stressed, your body releases cortisol and adrenaline which causes your heart rate to accelerate and blood pressure to rise. 

This can lead to narrowed blood vessels in your brain which affects how efficiently oxygenated blood reaches it, resulting in dizziness.

Stress alone does not cause vertigo, but it can contribute to problems with the vestibular system – responsible for balance – which could manifest as dizziness and nausea.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent and treat vertigo. Speaking with a mental health provider or taking medication for anxiety can give you back control over your emotions and provide temporary relief from symptoms.

If you’re dealing with stress-related vertigo, make sure to visit the doctor for testing. They can examine your eyes and ears to rule out any underlying causes for what you may be feeling. Furthermore, they may provide helpful strategies on dealing with stress and related issues.

Stress can cause both dizziness and vertigo

When under stress, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These chemicals can lead to various physical manifestations such as dizziness or vertigo.

Vertigo is a condition that makes it difficult to maintain balance and sense of direction. It may be caused by head or ear injuries, infections, or fluid buildup in the ears.

These symptoms can be intense and debilitating, lasting days or weeks at a time. They’re typically due to issues with your vestibular system – an area of your inner ear that regulates balance – which may be caused by certain medical conditions.

The vestibular system consists of three semicircle-shaped canals filled with fluid and tiny hairs that detect movement within it. These organs and other similar structures relay information received to your brain, which then sends signals to your eyes and muscles for balance.

Interestingly, research has identified a correlation between the area of your brain responsible for balance and the stress areas. This may explain why stress-induced vertigo symptoms may appear in some people and become worse for those suffering from anxiety disorders.

What is the Difference Between Vertigo and Lightheadedness?

Vertigo and lightheadedness often appear to be synonymous, yet these terms refer to distinct conditions.

Dizziness is an unpleasant sensation of spinning, tilting or translating; vertigo refers to an altered perception of normal motion that may occur as a result of medical conditions or medications taken for treatment.

Vertigo is most often caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This occurs when your head moves out of position, such as when you lie down, turn over in bed or sit up suddenly in the morning.

BPPV (benign protrusion of the inner ear) occurs when the nerves fail to function correctly. When these nerves don’t send enough information about your body’s position in space, your brain doesn’t receive it adequately.

Your doctor may order a variety of tests to try and pinpoint the source of your vertigo. These may include a head impulse test and vestibular test battery.

These tests can assist your GP in diagnosing the source of your vertigo and selecting an appropriate treatment plan.

Vertigo can be treated with medications such as dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) and meclizine. These should usually be taken at the first sign of a vertigo attack to ensure effective treatment.

You may require vestibular rehabilitation to train your brain to rely on other signals from the body instead of just what comes from your inner ear. This can reduce symptoms and help you recover faster.

How to Manage Stress-Induced Dizziness

Dizziness can be one of the most disruptive symptoms of anxiety. It may cause someone to feel like they’re about to trip over or experience a panic attack. Here’s how to manage this symptom effectively:

Under stressful conditions, the body releases hormones called cortisol and adrenaline that can constrict blood vessels, making it difficult for the brain to properly pump oxygen-rich blood back to it.

Stress and anxiety often go hand-in-hand, but can become even worse when combined. Fortunately, most people can learn ways to manage their stress and reduce symptoms of anxiety.

The initial step in managing anxiety-dizziness is acknowledging its presence and taking proactive measures. To do this, speak with someone close to you – either a friend or family member who can offer understanding and support.

Another option is finding a therapist who can help manage stress and anxiety while treating any underlying conditions. They may recommend physical therapy, mindfulness-based techniques, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Exercise and breathing are two strategies that can help alleviate dizziness. Techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing can be especially beneficial in relaxing the nervous system.

Visualization can help reduce dizziness and stress by helping the mind focus on positive experiences and feelings. For instance, envisioning yourself at your favorite vacation spot may reduce tension and alleviate stress.

If you experience severe or frequent dizziness, consult an ENT specialist who can assess any underlying problems and prescribe medication such as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to reduce its severity.

Can Stress Cause Long-Term Damage to the Vestibular System?

The vestibular system helps you stay balanced and orientated by sending signals to your brain that incorporate information from three senses – your eyes, inner ear structure (also called the balance organ), and nerves connecting those structures together.

Dr. Zoe Watson, a general practitioner in London, notes that when we feel stressed, our stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline can disrupt how signals are processed in our ears and brain, potentially leading to dizziness or presyncope. 

As such, she suggests, seeking medical assistance if you experience symptoms associated with presyncope.

Stress can be beneficial in the short run when it helps us deal with issues or alerts us to illness, but long-term exposure to stressful situations may damage the vestibular system and lead to psychiatric disorders like anxiety.

Techniques such as breathing, progressive muscle relaxation and visualisation/imagery can help to reduce negative feelings. By taking time out each day to practice these methods, you will notice a vast improvement in your overall wellbeing.

Counseling or psychotherapy can be extremely helpful to address the root causes of your stress. Speaking with a professional will help you focus on the positive aspects of life and give you an opportunity to discuss feelings with an experienced therapist.

Selecting the right therapist is essential, as not all are created equal. This may necessitate seeing multiple practitioners to find one who best fits your needs and requirements.

Research is still ongoing, but it appears that the connection between stress and vertigo is more nuanced than previously believed. 

It appears likely that both conditions share similar pathways in the brain, suggesting stress could potentially play a significant role in vertigo development – particularly among individuals with inner ear problems or psychiatric disorders.