Aa
derealization and lightheaded pls help
hi, i have been suffering with lightheadedness and derealization for around 8 years there have been times when it feels slightly better but its always there, around the time it all started my dad was in a critical state in hospital and i was smoking weed (stupid idea i know , have never smoked it since) the lightheadedness just hit me 1 day and never left, my doctors have always put it down to anxiety, i have suffered panic attacks after the lightheadedness come, i have not had a panic attack for about 2 years but still have this lightheadedness all day every day, i do worry about things alot and always thinking i have something majorly wrong with me, i have had mri scans, blood test ect..... everything come back fine, my doctors have always offered me meds (ssris) but i have been to scared to take any incase it makes it worse, has anyone else suffered this constantly? has anyone ever had relief from meds? or anything? pls all comments will be appreciated, im a farther of 2 beautiful little girls and i want my life back.
thanks so much for your replys, has anyone ever suffered constant lightheadedness and had relief from meds?
Hi there. I'm sorry you are going through this. It is good that the doctors have ruled out all the physical things. Now you are left with your mental health to deal with. The lightheadedness could be because you are hyperventilating. Now I know when people think of hyperventilating it is exagerrated breaths in and out quickly but it is actually possible to hyperventilate without even knowing you are doing it. So here is a breathing exercise to try next time you feel lightheaded. You breathe in through your nose, hold it for 5 seconds and count this out in your head and then let it all out through your mouth. Keep doing this until the lightheadedness goes away. The derealization too is a symptom of anxiety.
Now on to the treatment part of it. There is cognitive behavioral therapy that you can learn from a psychologist. The breathing exercise is part of CBT. Some people can get away with learning the techniques to calm themselves down. You could also journal your thoughts, the worries you have and try to replace them with something positive.
Lastly, the SSRIs. A good majority of the people on this forum take some form of medication to help with their anxiety. It is not for everybody and that is a personal choice. However, I will say that they are very effective in treating anxiety. They do come with initial side effects and sometimes that is increased anxiety. They usually take a good 4-6 weeks to really start working at their full potential. So you need to weigh the pros and the cons here. Eight years sounds like a really long time to be suffering with anxiety. So now you have to be proactive and either seek a psychologist's help and learn CBT to see if that helps or go with the medication. The medical field has come such a long way that nobody should have to be suffering like this with anxiety.
I have had OCD/anxiety since I was a teenager. I learned CBT years ago which I still do today, especially the breathing, and I take an SNRI, Wellbutrin. I am my old self again. So think about yourself and your family and the person you want to be and be proactive and get yourself there. It is possible. I know because I have done it myself.
Now on to the treatment part of it. There is cognitive behavioral therapy that you can learn from a psychologist. The breathing exercise is part of CBT. Some people can get away with learning the techniques to calm themselves down. You could also journal your thoughts, the worries you have and try to replace them with something positive.
Lastly, the SSRIs. A good majority of the people on this forum take some form of medication to help with their anxiety. It is not for everybody and that is a personal choice. However, I will say that they are very effective in treating anxiety. They do come with initial side effects and sometimes that is increased anxiety. They usually take a good 4-6 weeks to really start working at their full potential. So you need to weigh the pros and the cons here. Eight years sounds like a really long time to be suffering with anxiety. So now you have to be proactive and either seek a psychologist's help and learn CBT to see if that helps or go with the medication. The medical field has come such a long way that nobody should have to be suffering like this with anxiety.
I have had OCD/anxiety since I was a teenager. I learned CBT years ago which I still do today, especially the breathing, and I take an SNRI, Wellbutrin. I am my old self again. So think about yourself and your family and the person you want to be and be proactive and get yourself there. It is possible. I know because I have done it myself.
Sorry to hear//: but im in the same situation im lightheaded all day but my anxiety started last year in september when my lil girl was four months it started off as nervous all the time lack of concentration still a lil cant do any of my daily life style..:(doctor has put me on three meds at first but didnt take any of that starting feeling good there for a couple months and just twoweeks ago bam anxiety again this time he gave me zoloft im way to scared to take this types of meds!!im thinking im going to try herbal stuff hopefully it helps!!i want my life backtoo!!i have two kids!it makes me so sad:(
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?
