Can depression cause dizziness???

[Nelli02]

I posted a question earlier about dizziness and facial pressure on 6/2/02. My head feels like it is floating ALL the time and I have major pressure in my eyes, across my brow and in my cheeks just under my eyes.  I have been to 7 doctors. I've had my blood pressure checked, blood sample taken, an EKG was done. I have been to an ears nose and throat doctor. I

[vpfreedom1]

All I can say is don't rule out depression.  Depression can strike you at a subconscious level.  It was the last thing I would have considered, but following 3 years of dizziness, I did become subconsciously depressed at the decrease in my quality of life.  It took me a while to realize it and I am being proactive in my approach.  I am pursuing diagnosis from an ENT, searching for a neurotologist to see me and, reluctantly, began taking Effexor.
Due to the years of dizziness, I developed anxiety and panic like attacks.  I'm at a point where falling asleep and not waking up seems like a nice sort of thing--but not what I want.
I will pursue every angle of this until things make sense to me...but I caution the sceptics....the brian is a powerful organ.  You have the ability to think things and push things to the back of the shelf without really being aware of them.
Sort out the physical AND the mental at the same time because, although it is cliche, the chicken and egg metaphor is apropos.

[sweetistguy]

Has anyone gotten any answers yet?  Im going crazy here.  Its been two months and I have had this severe dizziness.  I first developed some chest pains and noticed that my heart rate is up.  This went on for a week and I thought its just from excersize.  I went to my primary dr and he took a look at my blood work and told me my CK was very high (around 1400) and that I need to go to the ER immediately.  I drove myself to the ER and getting out of the car i noticed i had sudden dizziness when walking.  It was just for a few seconds and then it would go away.  I checked myself into the ER and told them I have chest pains.  They took me in right away and gave me nitro and morphine.  After a chest x ray and EKG and and Echo they told me its not my heart, but wanted to admit me for some other tests.  Blood work came in good my CK was down to 175 , and they ran a stress test on my heart that came in normal.  I noticed that when i got out of the hospital bed I was very very dizzy.  I told the DR and he ordered an MRI that also came in normal.  They gave me some antivert which did nothing for me.  I was discharged because they felt there was nothing else they can do for me being admitted.  I was taken home by my father holding onto him so i wont fall.  That was in the begining of April and Im still that dizzy.  I went to Cardiologist and he did a holter on me that came out normal.  They did a heart event monitor and that was normal.  They told me i have a sinus arrythmia but not to worry about it.  I went to my GI dr and he ran some more blood work which was normal.  CK came out normal.  I went to a nurologist and he put me on lexapro which did nothing for me.  He recommended i see a therapist for anxiety.  Im generaly the life of the party and a happy person.  I never had anxiety or been depressed but this has made me depressed.  It seems like they have no answers for me and im going to have to live this way.  I dont know where to turn.  I feel dizzy from the moment i wake up till i go to bed.  It makes me want to stay in bed all day long as that is the only way that i dont get dizzy is by laying down.  I have been not going out with friends, and missed work and just feel dizzy all the time.  I have this brain fog whenever i walk down the street.  I feel dizzy and like im going to pass out.  I have sever fatigue and feel like i havent slept for months.  Anyone with any suggestions would be great.

[proulxoreo]

Yes, I have been experiencing lightheaded also.  I had a few vertigo attacks,very severe ones that put me in the emergency room for treatment, and I was given Antivert and Atavan for anxiety.  I had been taking these pills every day for the past three years in order to avoid any more vertigo attacks.  I haven't had any more vertigo attacks but I have been experiencing the dizziness.  I went to see the doctor and he told me that I needed to stop taking the Antivert and the Atavan, as both of these pills may cause dizziness.  In the meantime I had a CT scan which showed no problems.  I went to a neuroglist and he did some neuroligical tests.  He said that I had no problems in that area.  He said I was depressed and suffering some anxiety and this may be the reason why I am experiencing the dizziness.  He suggested eating better, getting at least 8 hrs of sleep each night and doing some exercise.  Also, he suggested that I find something to do that would make me feel good.  Get a hobby, do some creative projects, etc.  I have noticed that when I am with someone I really enjoy being with, the dizziness leaves.  One day I was experiencing dizziness all day long, but that evening I went out and met up with a friend of mine.  We had a good friendly and interesting conversation.  After I left I realized that the dizziness was gone.  I think that I feel lonely at times.  Perhaps having more social activity in my life, and being with people that I really enjoy being with, and doing what I really enjoy, is part of the answer.  He also suggested going to a good therapst.    I still have the bouts of dizziness, but not as often.  However, I am going to go to a chiropractor to see if I need some alignment in my neck and back.  I have a history of back problems so this may also add to the dizziness.  Good luck to all of you and I hope you all find relief from the dizziness.  Another thing, for those of you who are of a religious mind, it certainly doesn't hurt to ask God for help in this situation.   Thanks

[Trav619]

Hi there,

It is really comforting to see that others are suffering from the same issues as myself. I have been thinking i am going crazy and it's all in my head but i have been having the EXACT same thing that you guys have described for the past three months. It's not really a dizziness but rather a light headedness as if you are going to faint. I do not have any other side effects as some have mentioned though, just the light headedness. I have had vertigo in the past and this is definately different. It is not a nauseating dizziness but rather just a light headedness as if you have held your breath and lifted something heavy. For myself at first it seemed to be every now and then with some times where i had to lie down in bed for a while as it felt like i was going to pass out. But now it has just become a constant thing in any situation. I have had all the tests mentioned above and the same as everyone else...... nothing. I have become quite upset with doctors as it is very frustrating. The only diagnosis i have is depression the same as you guys. But there is no way i am going to start taking anti-depressants for this as i have seen first hand what they do and i don't like it. It's really strange, like everyone else i never felt depressed at all until the doc told me it could be depression. I am very active, have a very easy going job, lots of friends and a very loving and healthy relationship so it just seems strange. I think depression might be the wrong phrase to use for this condition. I think it may be plausible that it is more anxiety that causes this. I do seem to feel it more pronounced when i am stressed or exited. But it's all fine and good if that is what it is but the big question is how do i get rid of it. At the moment i am just trying some more natural anti stress and anxiety treatments such as increasing my vitamin b intake, meditation and a healthy diet and i'll see how that goes for the next month or so and go from there. I will also try the chiropractic method in the coming weeks and keep everyone posted. If anyone else who has posted previously has had any success then please let us all know as it seems we are all in this together and this condition is getting very very frustrating. Thanks.

[m123456]

sorry if this answer is posted already, but i am tired and have been reading posts all night long.

i am curious how quickly these symptoms presented themselves?  My wife is 26 and was perfectly healthy until 1 week ago. All of a sudden, she has dizziness, headaches, and a foggy feeling.  So far, 2 doctors and an ER visit complete with a CT, and no answers.  

Any ideas?  Would depression do this out of the blue?

[yogi80]

Hello, i have been suffering with some sort of, kind of, dizzy feeling in the middle of my head. Some pressure and a feeling like blood is rushing through my head sometimes. I have been to two doctors that say its a possible migraine. I know what a migraine feels like and i have had one before. This is different. This issue has lasted since i wore this tight fitted hat and refused to take it off because i like the way it looked on my head. THe next day i experienced my first migraine and the day after that the dizzy spell, feeling like i was going to faint feeling began. Almost like a panic attack feeling. My hands were clammy and i was flipping out because i never felt a dizzy feeling before and i was scared. Then i began to think i was having a Anerysm due to the consistant feeling. I mean the dizzy feeling lasted and is still going on. I worried myself so much that now i don't exact feel depressed but down and sad. I also cry because i feel so different and my emotions are being affected by this.

I read all of the comments people have put up here and i will try a chiropractor and i will go back to my doctor and demand every possible test my insurance will pay for before she claims its just migraines. Migriaines don't last for years; they come and go due to differenct factors. I know something is wrong and i want good medical help so i can feel like myself again.

I hope someone will answer to my forum.