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’ve had a hearing test done. I was tested for vertigo. Everything was normal.  I just went back to the doctor (finally now that I have insurance again) hoping to get a referral for a CT scan but he thinks it is depression.  He gave me some anti-depressants to take but I’m a little skeptical.  I wasn't depressed when I became dizzy; in fact I was very active.  Now that this dizziness has taken over my life for the past year, I find myself a little depressed because it is hard to do anything. But if I am depressed I feel like that came later after my dizziness. Can depression cause dizziness? Am I making any sense?

[rusalka]

Have you a  thyroid problem? Are you hormones balanced? You may suffer from migraine?  Just asking. Also when does it happen? I don't like anti-depressants at all and just because you want a solution to a problem doesn't make you depressed it makes you mad when a doctor doesn't want to help. I had to demand tests, I had doctors laugh at me and all. I thought I would die. I have an autoimmune disease with hashimotos/hypothyroid discovered only after a complete and total blood/vitamin/mineral test. Don't feel down find another doctor who is willing to do the research, you know your body and what is not normal.

[Nelli02]

Ya, I’ve had my thyroid checked out and came back normal, not sure about my hormones.  I don’t think I have migraines because I don’t really get headaches it’s just dizziness and facial pressure and it’s just not every now and then it’s ALL the time!  It doesn’t go away and hasn’t gone away since August of last year.  So let’s just say I do have depression, couldn’t that have just been the cause of my becoming dizzy since it makes me feel unmotivated to do anything. I cry because I can’t stand to feel like this anymore and am not sure if this is just how I am going to feel the rest of my life but before I became dizzy I didn’t feel depressed.  Ugh, I am so frustrated.

[rusalka]

All the T's? for thyroid. Have you had your eyes checked. You don't always have to have a headache to feel migraine it is mostly pressure. You also said your blood pressure is normal. A cup of coffee or garlic can change your blood pressure. Garlic lowers, Coffee increases. You can have dizzy spells from stress too. Try and relax your face muscles and then tighten them do it 4 or 5 times. Smell some rose or lavendar oil. It will help you relax. Frustration is a good reason to cry.... YOu said this started last August. Did something happen at the time do you remember? Do they happen are standing up from sitting, in the morning, at night. sorry a lot of questions I know but I am trying to understand. Also is there a family history of anything connected with dizzy spells.?

[Nelli02]

Just to answer some of the questions.  I am not a big fan of garlic and I don’t even touch coffee. I am not stressed out my job it’s pretty laid back.  Nothing big and major happened last August so that’s why I am so confused were this dizziness came from.  Nothing happens when I go from standing to sitting, its just always the same.  There is not one moment in the day were I am not dizzy. What ever I am doing, standing, sitting, laying, driving, morning or night, whatever it is its always the same.  It isn’t like a dizzy spell that comes and goes it is constant and nothing alleviates it.  I think I will go to another doctor and try and get a referral for a CT scan.  I am just so sick of doctors unwilling to LISTEN to me.

[heart2heart]

There's about a 100 reasons for dizziness, so you should rule out some serious medical problems before a dx of depression. I would push for an MRI if I were you. If your doctor won't write the script, go to a different one. For your own peace of mind you should get things ruled out.

[rusalka]

Sorry I know you are frustrated. My mother had cancer, then chemo, put on weight 2 months later eats for pain relief,felt very sick. Went to the hospital they wouldn't accept her and laughed at her because they said you have to be skinny to have cancer. After one month she found another doctor 200kms away. Put her in hospital opened her up and gave her 6 weeks to live. She died. I know your frustrated, angry and hurt. Push them for the MRI. You don't drink coffee but one cup a day can increase your blood pressure slightly and may stop a dizzy spell. My husbands blood pressure shows normal but he gets dizzy all day and after a coffee he is okay. He doesn't drink coffee either. Really try to relax and deal with doctors calmly it helps to get what you want done. I have the same problems with doctors they are 2 steps behind me as I listen to my body and it tells me what I need getting them to give me what I need takes a long time sometimes and not then. I turned to alternative medicine instead. I wish you luck in your pursuit... and hope your dizzyness does reside. Take care!

[Nelli02]

Thanks so much for the support.  It really does help.  I hate talking about this with others because I just don't feel like they know where I am comeing from or really understand what I am going through.  Thanks again for you comments and advice.  It gives me hope =o)

[KMAS]

Hi there,



I have also been going through alot of medical problems. It started off with chronic bloating and weight gain. (I am very active and have a healthly diet)Anyways, I went to so many doctors and had alot of test and they all came back normal. My symptoms started getting worse. I experienced alot of dizziness and nausea. There were periods during the day when I would get extremely tired. I know there is something wrong. The last doctor I went to said the same thing to me. He thinks that I am depressed. Of course I am because it has been 4 years that I have had these problems and no one is able to figure out what it is. I also said that I wassn't depressed before. He then said what comes first the chicken or the egg. He says that alot of people are depressed and do not even know it. I am not sure if I should take the anti0depressants that he has prescribed either........

[Nelli02]

That’s funny my doctor said the same thing..."what came first the chicken or the egg."  Maybe it's something they learned in medical school. Anyway, I am very skeptical about the whole depression thing and taking these antidepressants too. I am just afraid of them making me feel worse but I am also scared of feeling like this for years to come.  I am at the point were I will try just about anything and I still plan on getting a CT scan just to put my mind to rest.  Its kinda ironic though, I am suffering from dizziness and one of the side effects to these pills is dizziness.  I don’t know, I seem to be just as confused as you.  I am just worried when I hear people saying the just really hated taking antidepressants and it is awful when you try and stop taking them. Have you taken any of the medication yet or are you thinking about it?

[KMAS]

Same as you I am having doubts about the medication. I think the cons out weigh the pros. I will see my doctor next week and we will see....

[lindy80]

I am having the same exact problem. I feel dizzy and lightheaded almost all the time. It gets worse during ovulation and my periods. I have had all tests..bloodwork,cardio,neoro((incuding MRI) all has been normal. Yesterday I had a very scary experience. I was at Target waiting in line and came very close to passing out. I dont know how i made it home. But my husband was there and helped me. I spent the rest of the day in bed. I feel so strange and disoriented by this condition. I have been told also about antidepressents. I am probably depressed but feel like its because of this dizziness.

I am seriously considering getting a hysterectomy to help with this. But, I dont know if it will. Help!

[AllWoman]

Depression ABSOLUTELY can cause dizziness! Its one of many symptoms of Depression..i was skeptical at first about taking antidepressants, but it sure helped me alot. My doctor had said the same thing, SO many people suffer from DP, and do not know it... but med's arent for everyone....check for inner ear infection