Opinions about Anxiety

[Stacker313]

I'll try to be brief, but here's my story... in mid-May, I started experiencing light-headed spells (not room spinng, but like floor is unlevel) along with a weird pressure feeling in my head, so I sought many doctors and went thru a VNG test which came back normal.   At my follow-up appt on Tuesday, the doctor said that she believes that all of this could be due to anxiety and recommended that I try vestibular therapy for the light-headed spells (which is a technique to make you dizzy and teach you how to work past it) and gave me a prescription for Celexa that she said was up to me if I wanted to try it.  Within the weeks that had past, I began seeing a chiropractor which I believe has helped all of my symptoms and I am leery of taking any more medications (i currently take anti-inflammatories and steroids for Rheumatoid Arthritis).  My husband wants me to take the pills, but I read the side effects and learned that they can do some nasty things to do.
Also, I don't feel that I have anxiety... sure, I have stress like most people and I do worry about things like finances.  I guess I could be in denial, but I'm wondering how other people were diagnosed and what other methods there are to treating it besides meds?

[TheaT]

I agree with JGF25, you could be hyperventilating.  I read an article that it only takes 45 second of hyperventilating before one notices symptoms such as dizziness, nausea or whatever.  When I start this cycle, I don't even realize I am doing it until the sometimes scary symptoms begin.  Do try JGF's suggestions.

My best to you!

[JGF25]

A lot of us that have anxiety have probably been through periods where we were not on medication for it.  It was not at a dibilitating level and so we were able to manage with it.  This could be where you are for the most part.  Maybe there is something particular at the moment that you cannot put your finger on that is causing you more anxiety and stress than normal.  Did anything change in your life when this dizzyness started?  A bigger bill than anticipated, something like that?  

I think if the doctor has ruled everything else out, then you can chalk your symptoms up to anxiety.  Whether you take the Celexa is up to you.  If your daily life functions are being imparied by this, then you may want to consider seeing a psychologist and see what they think.  

Lastly, I am just going to throw this out there.  It is possible to be anxious and hyperventilate without knowing you are doing it.  This would cause you to become dizzy.  The next time you experience the dizzyness, try a breathing exercise where you take a full breath in through your nose, hold it for 5 seconds, and let it all out through your mouth.  Do this several times to see if the dizzyness goes away as you are breathing.