Mental health challenges often have physical ramifications. For example, anxiety can cause dizziness and other distressing bodily sensations. How long does dizziness from anxiety last, and what should you do if it happens to you?
Why Does Anxiety Cause Dizziness?
Anxiety can result from dysfunction within the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the body’s “fight or flight” response.
When this system detects and imminent threat, it may trigger reactions such as a boost in adrenaline and an elevation in heart rate – both of which can speed the body’s ability to escape danger. It may also increase blood flow to certain parts of the body, which of course means that other areas may experience a temporary decrease.
When an actual threat is present, these types of changes can literally be life-saving. But if the sympathetic nervous system is in a perpetual state of arousal – detecting threats when none actually exist – the result can be anxiety, and the physical effects of changes in blood flow, adrenaline, and heart rate can include dizziness.
How Long Does Dizziness From Anxiety Last?
There’s no specific, universally applicable answer to the question, how long does dizziness from anxiety last?
Sometimes, episodes of anxiety-related dizziness can begin and end within a few seconds, while in other cases the experience can last 10 or 20 minutes. In extreme circumstances, it can take more than an hour before your dizziness fully subsides.
The duration of dizziness and other symptoms of anxiety can be influenced by several factors, such as:
- Which type of anxiety disorder you have
- What caused the onset of your dizziness
- If you have been taking prescription medication or using recreational substances
- The effectiveness of your self-soothing techniques
- If you have any co-occurring medical concerns
Other Physical Symptoms of Anxiety
Dizziness is unfortunately not the only physical effect of anxiety. Other symptoms can include:
- Excessive sweating
- Headache
- Stomach ache
- Nausea
- Racing heart rate
- Pain or tightening in the chest
- Difficulty catching your breath
- Feeling like you are being smothered or choked
- Tingling in hands and feet
- Tremors or shakiness in your arms and legs
Self-Care Tips for Dizziness from Anxiety
The way you respond to dizziness and other anxiety symptoms can influence how intense these symptoms become and how long they last. Here are five tips that can help:
- Find a safe, comfortable place: Sitting or lying down can help reduce your dizziness and minimize your risk of falling and injuring yourself. If you’re outside, you may want to look for a bench or a soft grassy area. If you’re driving when you start to experience symptoms of an anxiety attack, pull into a parking lot or onto the side of the road.
- Focus on your breath: Some breathing exercises can help you overcome dizziness and other effects of anxiety. One technique is to inhale deeply while you silently count to four or five, hold your breath while you count to six or seven, then exhale slowly while counting to eight or nine. You can repeat this process until you start to feel better.
- Remind yourself that this is temporary: You may not be able to predict exactly how long your dizziness from anxiety will last, but you know it should be relatively brief. Remember that you’ve been through this type of experience before, and that you know how to respond.
- Contact a friend or family member: If you’re with someone when you start to develop anxiety-related dizziness, let them know what’s happening and what they can do, such as helping you find a comfortable spot where you can sit down. If you’re alone, you may want to call a loved one who can talk to you until the dizziness subsides.
- Understand your triggers: Sometimes, anxiety attacks occur with little warning or no obvious trigger. Other times, such as if you have social anxiety disorder or specific phobia, they result from certain situations or circumstances. If you’re able to identify your triggers, you can develop strategies for avoiding them, or at least prepare yourself to respond in a healthy manner if you develop dizziness or other symptoms.
For more ideas on how to care for your mental health during challenging times, explore these self-care activities for mental health.
How to Find Treatment for Anxiety
The suggestions listed in the previous section can be valuable for keeping yourself safe during episodes of intense anxiety or panic. However, while self-care techniques can minimize symptoms, they may not address the root causes of your struggles with anxiety.
If you frequently experience anxiety-related dizziness, consulting a professional can provide clarity and effective solutions. Understanding what psychotherapy entails can help you feel more prepared for treatment.
Though untreated anxiety can be highly disruptive, anxiety disorders are treatable conditions. When you get the right type of help, you can experience lasting relief from dizziness and other effects of anxiety.
Assessment & Diagnosis
How can you know if you need treatment for anxiety, or determine what type of care is right for you?
The best way to accomplish both of these goals is to schedule an assessment with your primary healthcare provider or another qualified expert. The professional who conducts this evaluation can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.
Personalized Care
Treatment for anxiety can occur on a residential or outpatient basis, and may involve prescription medication as well as a variety of therapies and support services, such as:
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy and education
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Life skills education
- Mindfulness, meditation, and yoga
There’s no single technique or course of treatment that’s ideal for everyone, which is why it’s so important to find a professional that will take the time to identify the full scope of your unique needs, then put together a customized plan just for you.
Learn More About Anxiety Treatment in Georgia
Serenity Grove offers personalized care and compassionate support to adults who have been living with addictions and co-occurring anxiety. Our continuum of care includes detox, residential rehab, and several outpatient options.
When you choose Serenity Grove, you will be cared for by a team of highly skilled professionals. Working together, we can identify the full scope of your mental and behavioral health needs, then develop the customized plan that will put you on the path toward a brighter future.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.
