Visual trails, anxiety.

[rachelf22]

For about a week now I've been seeing trails in my vision.

I've suffered from anxiety and hypochondria for as long as I can remember. I've also been going through a lot of stress, with starting college and my dad was in a train accident which left his arm amputated and in a coma for weeks. He turned out to be alright, but it's still stressful.

About 6 months ago I noticed pressure behind my eye. I worried constantly about it and finally decided to go to the hospital to see if there was something wrong. Being a hypochondriac, my first thought was that I had a brain tumor. After several medical tests including a CT scan, the doctor told me I was having an anxiety attack, gave me some sort of nerve medication and I was fine the next day. He specifically told me I did not have a brain tumor, because he saw how stressed I was over it.

About a month ago I noticed the same pressure behind my eye and quickly starting worrying about it as much as I did the first time. Of course, my fear was that they missed a brain tumor. I went online to research the symptoms of a brain tumor (although I've done this a million times, and know the answer). I focused on visual changes. I constantly checked to make sure I wasn't seeing double, or blurred, etc. At the time I wasn't, but within a few days I noticed that when I'd stare at something, especially a light, my vision felt jumpy. I obsessed with this a few days, and then noticed something else. When I moved my hand in front of my eyes I'd see a trail. At first I only saw it when I was really looking for it, but the more I looked for it and thought about it the more I started seeing the trails. The more stressed I am, the more I notice them.

The fear of dying of a brain tumor is constantly on my mind. I try to tell myself that it's anxiety, but at the same time I feel like this time it could be real, just like every other time it's happened. I wish I could see a psychiatrist for my problems, but I have no insurance at the time. I do plan on visiting an eye doctor within the next few weeks, but I'm afraid I'll drive myself crazy until then. I know they can miss tumors on CT scans, and that's what I keep thinking.

I also have a bad cold, but I don't think that could affect my vision?

I want to believe it's anxiety, but with the constant thought of brain tumor on my mind, it's hard to believe that I could talk myself into physical symptoms.

[imhopp]

How is your vision now? I struggle with the same things. Very intense visual trails.

[AlfredTheRed]

I know exactly how you feel for I'm going through the same thing :/ I've suffered from hypochondria for a long time, took a CT scan last year and everything was said to be fine with me, I'm getting the visual trails and as much as I'm trying to not think about it it's extremely difficult, I suppose it is psychologically induced. I'm also getting a palinopsia like symptom where when looking at an object I would see it for a Brief half a second or so after.... man its so hard. :/... glad I'm not alone in this I'm 20 years old and I also feel dp/dr

[rachelf22]

Thank you.

I try to talk to family and friends about this issue, but I think they're tired of hearing me complain. They think I'm being a bit ridiculous as the doctor told me just a few months ago to stop worrying about brain tumors. I wish I could stop worrying, but I guess it's easier said than done.

[rumpled]

Read up on optical illusions. Retinal fatigue.

If you stare at something, you are bound to have some jumpiness - after all, your eye muscles are going to get tired and your eyes are going to get tired.

Sinus pressure can give you a heck of headache, and that can make you more tired.

With a clear CT, and a visit coming up with an eye doc - I think you are doing all you can to rule things out and put your mind at ease.

Can you find counsel with a friend or relative to help you out with your anxiety over this?