• Anxiety
• Mental Health

Can Anxiety Cause Dizziness? What to Know and Other Potential Causes

Frequent or severe dizziness can have a significant impact on how you get through the day. You may feel unsteady, disorientated, and stressed about when the feeling will happen again.

For many people, dizziness can be linked to anxiety — a condition that can lead to panic attacks and affect how you interact with others daily.

While anxiety is often associated with racing thoughts and a pounding heart, dizziness is also a common symptom of the condition.

In this article, we’ll discuss the connection between anxiety and dizziness, other conditions that can cause dizziness, and what you can do to effectively manage it.

Does Anxiety Cause Dizziness?

Anxiety can cause dizziness through several physiological processes that are closely related to the body’s stress response.

When you’re anxious, your body enters a heightened state of arousal known as the fight-or-flight response. This evolutionary response helps the body to process perceived threats.

During this process, your body releases stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones cause physical changes that prepare you to respond to danger. The response can be so overwhelming that a person can also experience dizziness.

Increased heart rate

A person with anxiety will experience an increased heart rate. Reduced blood flow to the brain from a fast heart rate during an anxiety attack can cause dizziness and lightheadedness.

Changes in breathing

Anxiety can cause hyperventilation or rapid, shallow breathing. 

The excessive exhalation of carbon dioxide can disrupt the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood — leading to a condition called hypocapnia. Hypocapnia causes constriction of the brain’s blood vessels  — reducing blood flow and resulting in dizziness.

Reduced carbon dioxide causes the blood vessels in the brain to constrict, limiting the brain’s blood supply and causing feelings of faintness or dizziness.

Changes in oxygen uptake

Even though there is technically enough oxygen in the blood, the lack of carbon dioxide while experiencing anxiety symptoms makes it harder for oxygen to be released into the body’s tissues, including the brain. 

A lack of carbon dioxide in the body can affect the brain and make a person feel disorientated or dizzy.

Changes in blood pressure

Anxiety-induced dizziness can also come from fluctuations in blood pressure. When you’re anxious, you may experience a sudden spike in blood pressure as your body sends a signal to protect yourself from potential danger.

During a panic attack, you may see a drop in your blood pressure. Orthostatic hypotension — where blood pressure drops when standing up quickly — is a common cause of dizziness due to low blood pressure.

Other Causes of Dizziness

There are several other reasons why you may experience dizziness other than anxiety. Let’s take a closer look at some conditions that may cause this symptom:

Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)

Hypoglycemia occurs when the body’s glucose levels drop below normal. The brain relies heavily on glucose to function effectively. When glucose drops, the brain doesn’t receive enough energy to work efficiently. Low blood pressure can lead to confusion, lightheadedness, and dizziness.

Additionally, low blood sugar can increase adrenaline levels. Common symptoms of heightened adrenaline include sweating, shakiness, and dizziness.

Inner ear problems

The vestibular system — sensory system within the inner ear — plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and spatial orientation.

Inner ear disorders such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, and vestibular neuritis can affect signals sent from the vestibular system to help people feel physically stable. Disruptions to these signals can cause vertigo and dizziness.

Neurological disorders

Certain neurological conditions can disrupt how the brain processes information related to balance and movement. 

Health conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, and multiple strokes may interfere with the brain’s ability to communicate effectively with the body’s sensory systems. Strokes can disrupt blood flow to the parts of the brain responsible for balance.

Damage to the areas of the brain that control balance, coordination, or eye movements may result in dizziness or vertigo. 

Motion sickness

Motion sickness occurs when the brain gets conflicting signals from the inner ear, eyes, and body when you’re in motion, such as on a boat or car.

The inner ear senses movement, but it can be confusing for the brain if the eyes don’t detect motion in the same way. This sensory conflict can make you feel dizzy, nauseous, and disorientated.

Dehydration

Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, leading to an imbalance of electrolytes. It reduces the volume of blood circulating in the body, leading to a drop in blood pressure and reduced oxygen flow to the brain which increases the risk of dizziness.

Anemia

Anemia is a condition that causes a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin. This reduces the body's ability to transport oxygen. With anemia, the brain receives less oxygen — causing dizziness or lightheadedness — especially when standing or moving suddenly.

The reduced oxygen supply to vital organs can also lead to fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath, which may intensify the sensation of dizziness.

Migraine

Migraines are severe headaches that are often accompanied by a variety of other symptoms, including dizziness.

During a migraine, blood flow to the brain can become inconsistent and the nervous system may become hypersensitive. Vestibular migraines primarily cause dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems.

Vision problems

Vision problems, such as eye strain, focusing difficulties, or the need for new glasses, can distort depth perception and vision signals to the brain. 

If the brain receives inconsistent or blurry visual signals, it may misinterpret your body’s position in space, leading to dizziness or disorientation.

How to Manage Dizziness

Dizziness can be sudden and unexpected, but there are ways you can manage it when it happens.

Sit or lie down

Sitting or lying down helps stabilize your body and prevent accidents. Lying down also helps increase blood flow to the brain, which can reduce dizziness if it’s caused by low blood pressure or blood flow issues.

When you’re dizzy, your balance is compromised, and remaining upright can increase your risk of falling. If possible, have someone help you to sit down somewhere safely.

Sitting or lying down reduces the strain on your body and gives you time to recover.

Stay hydrated

Drinking enough fluids ensures that your blood pressure remains stable and your organs — including the brain  — get enough blood flow.

Drink water regularly throughout the day even if you don’t feel thirsty to prevent dehydration. Men should drink around 15.5 cups of water daily, while it’s recommended that women consume approximately 11.5 cups. 

Be sure to drink more water in hot environments or after being physically active for an extended amount of time.

Focus on a fixed point

Focusing your gaze on a stationary object can help stabilize your balance by providing your brain with stability.

Move slowly

Rapid movements can trigger or worsen dizziness. Moving slowly gives your body time to adjust and maintain proper blood flow and balance. 

Move slowly and deliberately when getting out of bed or standing up from a chair. Pause briefly before standing fully to allow your blood pressure to stabilize.

Breathe deeply

Deep breathing helps regulate oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, improving blood flow to the brain. If you start feeling dizzy, sit or lie down and take slow, deep breaths.

Eat regularly

Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential for preventing dizziness and low blood pressure.

Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar steady. Follow a balanced diet of proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates in your meals to avoid rapid spikes and drops in blood sugar.

How Can I Treat Dizziness?

Healthcare professionals typically treat dizziness based on its underlying cause. Here are some common treatments:

Medications

• Antihistamines: A healthcare provider may recommend antihistamines to help treat dizziness related to inner ear problems or motion sickness,

• Benzodiazepines: This type of medication may be prescribed for severe dizziness caused by vestibular issues or anxiety.

• Antiemetics: Nausea and vomiting from dizziness can occur in severe situations. Antiemetics can reduce symptoms of nausea.

• Migraine medications: Migraine medications may be prescribed if the dizziness is linked to migraines.

• Fluid and electrolyte therapy: A healthcare professional may recommend increasing your intake of fluids and electrolytes to treat dehydration-related dizziness.

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT)

Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is a type of physical therapy that treats dizziness caused by inner ear problems or balance disorders. It involves specific exercises to help retrain the brain to adapt to changes in balance and movement.

Treating underlying conditions

• Anemia: A healthcare provider may prescribe iron supplements or treat iron deficiency anemia.

• Hypotension (low blood pressure): Increasing fluid and salt intake or adjusting medications can help manage low blood sugar levels.

• Heart conditions: If heart problems cause dizziness, treatments may involve medications or procedures recommended by a healthcare provider to improve heart function

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

If dizziness is related to anxiety or panic attacks, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help address the underlying emotions.

Where Can I Learn More About Treating Dizziness?

Through LifeMD, you can consult a board-certified physician or nurse practitioner about any dizziness or anxiety you’re experiencing.

LifeMD can connect you with a team of healthcare professionals who can provide expert advice, treatment, and medication options to treat your anxiety.

Make your appointment today to receive expert guidance about your health from the comfort of your home.

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