Hi guys! I've posted a few times on this board but I usually post on the "Inner Ear Problems Board". I consider myself a veteran of stress and anxiety tough as I have been dealing with it for 11 years now. I've been on several antidepressants over the years as well as on benzos. My anxiety seem to have shifted in the past year from panic attacks to GAD which isn't much better! Anyways, on with my question: I've been experiencing dizziness since December. I mean 24/7 dizziness which becomes a lot worse when I'm in a stressful situation (my knees get weak, rapid heartbeat, the whole works). I was diagnosed with an inner ear problem by 2 ENT's but I decided to ask my psychiatrist if it could ALL be anxiety related. He says yes. I need to mention that I haven't been on any meds since last summer. O.k. Has anyone ever felt CONSTANT dizziness from anxiety? I know about getting dizzy and lightheaded when having a panic attack but I'm wondering if GAD could make me feel dizzy ALL the time. Thanks to all who will reply!
Céline

OF course ofcourse it is, i am terrible with gad, used to be panick attacks, now gad.. the thing is hunny, panick attacks will NEVER dissapear, it is anxiety feeding your anxiety, i have been fine for a few weeks, still anxiety etc BUT better.. then today i was at school picking up my daughter and suddenly came over all funny, lost my balance completely never happened before, i started to freak out badly, i had to ask my freind to go in the school and get her as i couldnt, i was terrified, feeling weird all day, got a cold now, and i always fear the worst, mu phsyc told me to write down possible causes before fearing the worst, It is also related to inner ear probs, such as vertigo, there are some tabs than can help with it, i too have tryed many meds for my anxiety, but i fear they do me worse off, i aint taken nothing since nov last yr... atleast now i can think and i got emotions where as before i didnt...

The constant dizzyness is what i got, but today was another kind... as i got a cold i put it down to my inner ear, your ent is also right saying that it is your inner ear, i am still waiting to see an ent, been on list for over a year so far... typical uk nhs eh?

Any way you will be fine..... mention this to your ent.. wanna chat post me a message..... http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

------------------
dipps

[This message has been edited by XxlDippsxX (edited 05-07-2003).]

constant dizzyness is the anxiety feeding the anxiety...

------------------
dipps

Constant Anxiety will keep you constantly dizzy!

Thank you for your input. I know that inner probs are linked to stress and I was blaming my ears for the dizziness but if stress affects my ears then it is stress that's making me dizzy! Wow! it all makes sense now!

it funny how panic people that suffer from panic attacks now suffer from Gad and do not have the attack type of anxiety such as the pins and needle going through the skin stuff. I use to have panic attacks and hated them but now they have stopped and i wish i had them again cause after having a panic attack i felt great now i suffer from GAD and feel constantly stressed and tense with no relief ever. Id swap panic attacks for GAD any day.

some do get a 'calm after the storm' following a panic attack and are able to do difficult things then
i think ryans desk needs to learn relaxation and sterss management

I agree with Ryandesk. I'd go back to panic attacks instead of GAD anyday.

what is GAD ?

Hello Windtrooper:GAD stands for Generalized Anxiety Disorder which basically means that the person is anxious all the time, incapable of relaxing. You can have GAD with or without a panic disorder. My anxiety started out as a panic disorder but has now evolve to GAD with panic disorder. I always feel somewhat tensed and it is aggravated by stressful situations. What's your story?

no cure for it ?

Cure is the same as other anxiety disorders: relaxation techniques, a good doctor and meds are what's out there. I found that excercising really helps me but I have an inner ear problem and can't excercice for the moment which has definitely increased my level of anxiety.

Look up the work by doctor Levinson on the internet. He belives that anxiety disorders are linked to vestibular problems ( that may be what makes you feel dizzy all the time) and he has ways to treat you. Reputable studies have also been done that confirm this link. Be great to hear if you get treatment and that it works.

I feel constanly dizzy and off as well even if I'm not having a panic attack. It is very disturbing and fatiguing.

I'll check it out and let you know. Thanks for all your replies!

Wow this information helped.

I'm currently tapering off of xanax and am feeling quit weak and dizzy. My anxiety is coming back, yet never in this form before. I thought I was spacing out and having a stoke or something.

Also my allergies have me very congested and my ears have been mildly plugged now and then. I didn't know that that could worse anxiety and dizziness.

Inner-ear problems can be related to anxiety?

I've had ear and allergy problems for years. Didn't know there could be a connection.

This boards have really educated me. Thanks.

what kind of anxiety meds are you on? the first time i took paxil it made me feel like crap and when i stopped taking it i got very very dizzy and it lasted for over two weeks.. my ear doc did all kinds of tests and the girl that gave one of the tests said that paxil did the same thing to her when she stopped taking it.. he eventually concluded that it must have been a reaction to the paxil..

GAD....you mean that someone can have anxiety ALL the time and not really realize it and suffer from lightheadedness? WOW! That's a scarey thought!