Can anxiety cause chronic dizziness?

Ears, nose and throat
1

Hello all... 

So for the past two years I suffer with daily dizziness and balance issue which have made my life miserable.

It all started with my first panic attack which triggered them or it could be a coincidence.

After 1 week , scared as hell, I did A LOT of tests which all came back clear... Neuro, eyes, inner ear, heart, blood works and 3 MRIs.

I was diagnosed with GAD and even though I can handle the anxiety with meds, the dizziness is still here.

It can happen anytime, without warning. Sometimes it's better if I sit down, some times it's better if I Walk. But it's there, every single day for two years straight.

Everyone is telling me that since every test came back clear it must be psychological but I don't buy it... I can understand that I may be dizzy if I'm stressed but most of the times I am stressed BECAUSE I'm dizzy..

It's not vertigo because nothing is spinning on the outside... It's just loss of balance, feeling that every step I take may end up with me on the ground and it takes a lot of energy to hide it especially in work. I have never fainted but every time feels like I'm gonna.

So is there a possibility that anxiety is causing all this or have the doctors failed me?

Thank you for your time.

2

Yes anxiety prolongs the diizzy imbalance and makes it worse. Look up a website called Seeking balance. There are some really helpful videos and advice there. I have a similar problem. It is two and a quarter years and I have only just realized how my fear and negative thinking have made things worse. All the best.

3

Was the MRI brain or brain with inner ear slices? Did they try epely meneuver? VNG / ENG testing? There's a few tests can narrow it down. Also see a neurotologist. They specialize in this area. Have they atleast tryed vestibular therapy? (Aka balance therapy)

4

You can look up SCM muscle issues on Google. It is a muscle in your neck that can cause some issues.

5

Hi, this is what I have gone through for 3yrs. Sometimes I sit down but feel am falling while seated. I can go to bank and start worrying as in I will collapse there. However I have never fallen and now am kind of getting used so it's quite scaring. Sometimes I can feel the dizziness while sleeping. 

The worst is you cannot be able to explain to others what and how you are feeling. Am sorry for what you are going through