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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Anxiety causing vision problems?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Anxiety causing vision problems?
by Heartsease, Dec 12, 2005 12:00AM
I have had anxiety disorder for 15 years (age 35 now). Other conditions include sinusitis, mild asthma, allergies, a few migraines, and severe neck/shoulder tension. Cranial MRI was negative, eye exam shows nothing wrong, BP and pulse are normal, though cholesterol is elevated. Over the last year or so I have noticed a strange visual symptom: when under stress or exertion (especially when lifting arms overhead and looking up, or rapidly going from lying down to standing up) I experience purple-ish colored spots or flashes of light in my vision field, sometimes one in the center of each eye like a "halo", but other times in the periphery. My eyes feel strained like they are under pressure, sensitive to bright light, and my eyes and head seem to "pulse" when my sinuses act up -- the spots will "pulse" too sometimes, esp when leaning over. Light exercise does not bother me, however, and actually seems to help. The symptoms are generally worst in the morning. Could this be anxiety/stress related, allergies, migraines, or all of the above? I have just gone through a number of major life stressors, including getting married and buying a house -- which are supposed to be "happy" but nonetheless! Also for years I have taken decongestants with pseudoephedrine in them which make all of my stress symptoms worse, esp the neck/shoulder tension, tingling in arms/hands, etc. Can those drugs cause damage to blood vessels in the eyes? Of course now I am obsessed with this problem, because it's driving me crazy. When I try to make myself relax it seems to get better, but I am constantly worried that it is something serious that has gone undiagnosed. I do not have any other severe symptoms; sometimes headaches but not very bad. I fatigue easily but I know it's because I've had a stressful year. Any enlightenment on this subject would be greatly appreciated, particularly from anyone else with these symptoms. Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Dec 13, 2005 12:00AM
, Dec 13, 2005 12:00AM
These specific symptoms may be related to a sudden lowering of blood pressure which does happen more when under stress, and speciifcally when changing positions as you have described. that could also account for the fact that light exercise makes it better. check this out with your doctor, but don't discount the contribution of anxiety.
It's something I've come to live with. It really doesn't bother me anymore because it doesn't affect anything important. It's only simply annoying sometimes.
My advice to you is: RELAX. It seems to be a common symptom from extreme anxiety/depression/depersonalization disorder. Just ignore it. It is nothing serious.
On a personal note, my faith in Jesus Christ (I'm Catholic) has brought me through. If you can relate, that's wonderful! If not, I would invite you to inverstigate the Catholic Church and begin the most amazing relationship with the Savior of Man!
God bless.