HomeAnswersPsychiatryanxietyAre lightheadedness and vision problems signs of anxiety?

Can headaches, vision problems, brain fog, and fluctuations in blood pressure be signs of anxiety?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At March 22, 2023
Reviewed AtJanuary 1, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have had anxiety probably my whole life. Lately, it has been getting worse though. I am not sure if all my symptoms are connected to anxiety. I cannot eat anything sweet in the morning because I feel light-headed, my heart racing, sweating, and might lose my vision for a few seconds (my sugar levels have always been fine). Multiple doctors did blood work, I was referred to a cardiologist too after my PCP realized my blood pressure jumps a lot when switching positions from lying down to sitting to standing up, otherwise blood pressure is fine. My heart is fine. I started having vision issues about eight to nine months ago. I have worn glasses since I was 14, so it is not that my vision is worsening. Two times I had fuzzy spots in my vision and a headache, and for about 30 minutes my vision got blurry to the point where I could not even write a text. Urgent care told me it might be a migraine. A few months later the same thing happened again, so I lied down but I did not feel better. So after an hour, I got up and then started to feel numbness in my hands and face, and ringing in my ears. I went to an ER and did a brain scan. I was told everything is fine and it is just anxiety. When I walk for more than a few minutes my vision is always bouncy like I am skipping. My biggest issue is having brain fog and not feeling 100 % present and aware. At times I catch myself “coming back” when I am mid-sentence. I have never taken any drugs in my life, but it feels like I am on some drugs. I do not feel sober. When I am concentrating on something like writing or reading, I am fine, but when I am walking around and talking to people I just feel weird. I think I have always had anxiety, but this weird feeling and being sensitive to sugar in the morning started only when I was about 18 and I am 23 now. I guess it is somewhat like an out-of-body experience that many people feel after some traumatic event, but I have not had anything traumatic that has happened to me. I need help. I am trying to finish my bachelor's and raise two kids. But all my symptoms have had a huge impact on my life. I have health insurance and the doctors I see are pretty dismissive and want to prescribe something as soon as I walk in the door. Please, help me understand if all these symptoms could be from anxiety and if is there anything I could do about it. I do not think I have ever had a panic attack nor do I freak out. Of course, at times I feel nervous, but like I said my biggest issue is that I am not feeling sober and present.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query.

Yes, you are probably suffering from an anxiety disorder with or without symptoms of derealisation. A complete assessment is needed to confirm the diagnosis. The degree of illness seems moderate to severe. I advise you to consult a psychiatrist as soon as possible. Meanwhile, I suggest you to follow these non-pharmacological measures to keep your anxiety in check.

  1. Do deep breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga.
  2. 30 minutes of regular physical activity like dancing to a song you enjoy can help you.
  3. Try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day and sleep for at least seven hours a day.
  4. Write a diary and stay connected to your friends as much as possible.

If you need any help from my side, you can always contact me at icliniq.com.

I hope this has helped you.

Thank you.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Vandana Patidar
Dr. Vandana Patidar

Psychiatry

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