Podcast EP 093: Dizziness and Unsteadiness (Jan 2020)

For many people, feeling dizzy or unsteady is one of the most enduring and difficult to deal with anxiety symptoms. In this episode we examine this common symptom and how to best approach it. Spoiler alert … it’s the same as with every other symptom!
For full show notes:
theanxioustruth.com/93
My books, podcast, and social media links:
theanxioustruth.com/links

[@John-Maldonado]

Wow. I am so grateful for this podcast. I live in fear of passing out from the dizziness. I feed it the dizzy with fear. I need to push forward.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

I'm glad you found this helpful in some way. Maybe re-think that "push" thing. Yes, it is a push forward but really this is about allowing the experience to happen without resistance, which isn't the same as "pushing through" (which suggest a fight or a struggle or using some kind of force). Argh. Even after so many years and so many videos/podcasts it's sill hard to find the right words to describe this! LOL

[@crystalH30]

How are you feeling now?

[@John-Maldonado]

@@crystalH30 Having more good days. I still get the dizzy spells in stores or high stress conditions but I’ve learned to distract myself and symptoms ease

[@fationix]

That’s my number one feeling, unsteady especially on supermarkets or shopping malls. This sensation brings on the anxiety and that’s a vicious circle. Tired all the time because i think this sensation makes the body hyper vigilant and that brings the body in fight or flight mode all day. Drainig

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

It is draining! For sure. The process of recovery is such a paradox because the key here is to learn how to soften into that sensation rather than fighting against it. The initial "fear shock" will cause you to tense and want to fight it, but in recovery we work on becoming aware of that, then softening against it and allowing the sensation to be there without so much resistance. This is difficult because it requires a courageous leap of faith TOWARD what feels like something dangerous, but the lessons we learn about ourselves and our ability to move through these things are invaluable.

[@Ayusk7788]

This is best video ever❤ thank you Those having anxiety problems please listen to this podcast fully

[@vee9133]

I have had this issue for four and a half years now… I have listened to all the podcasts, all the KZbin videos on it… this is the most helpful video about everything I’ve gone through with this mystery “dizziness”. THANK YOU ❤

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

You are very welcome! I'm glad I was able to "ring a bell" for you in some way. 🙂

[@thatgirlchina5890]

I absolutely agree. 💯. I was experiencing this again for the billionth time and was letting the fear get the best of me. I'm so thankful this video popped up. So timely.

[@chestnutmair1]

My anxiety is at an all time high and my off balance is keeping me out of my car. I will try tomorrow. One block at a time.

[@avamiller2325]

same here

[@christilewis1510]

This was so helpful! It absolutely gives me a new framework to think about this sensation while I'm not anxious. That will hopefully contribute to the work I'm already doing.

[@beausmom8863]

Described me to a “t”….haven’t driven in a year….just started walking daily for about 10 minutes, hoping to drive again someday. This was awesome! I will just keep trying….it’s just so scary, especially since chest pain has started for the last two weeks, ugh 🤨

[@beausmom8863]

@Hisoka I’m still not driving but I am doing SO much more. If you’re in this situation don’t give up! Keep listening to Drew he is the best. I really believe I’ve gotten as far as I have because of his help. I’ve read all his books and watch the podcast weekly. I want to say I am about 75% better… if I had to put a number to it. Driving and returning to work are my last steps. I’m working on that now… best wishes to you!

[@xMickyHDx]

Does anyone else just feel this pretty much all only when moving/walking around. I have suffered with physical symptoms for 8/9 years now and this is the first time I have felt it. Its not dizzy its just a little unsteady feeling when turning or making steps etc. My doctor says its my anxiety but hasn't done any brain scans yet. Hate it and just want it to go away....

[@arielyaskow7697]

How are you feeling now? I have the same thing but it's not all the time.

[@santsu8392]

Me too. 8yrs now. On zoloft since then.

[@MargieHurtado-fn2gj]

Yes I feel exactly the same everyday it's so scary 😢😢

[@mharris244]

Helpful video! This is my issue, it hasn't been fun. Can't wait to feel better soon!

[@KS-ev9yp]

Dizziness is my most feared symptom bc I don’t see it as not life threatening. All the thoughts about scary diseases come up and the sudden onset causes so much trepidation. Afraid to go out alone, especially with my kids, what if I get dizzy? Yesterday everything kept moving even when lying down or trying to keep my eyes still. I understand strong hormonal fluctuations in perimenopause affect the brain as well and can also be responsible for heightened anxiety response as well as dizziness all by itself. It just adds on for me and I feel utterly exhausted.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

In this situation we have to be mindful of the difference between "the room is literally spinning and I am unable to stand upright because of an actual active disturbance in my vestibular system" and "it feels like ....". This is not to say that you are not experiencing actual dizziness - you may very well be and that's an actual problem that would have to be accommodated in some way. But in a large sample of anxious people that will use the word dizzy, a large percentage will walk that back to "feels like I'm dizzy" when asked to check the words against the reality. Just something that might be helpful for you to consider.

[@mikeevans3607]

Thank you for this podcast. Carole

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

You are so welcome!

[@user-cz2dz6wo4x]

Thank you so much I have be unsteady every day for one year 😢

[@perezed1333]

I went from dpdr to dizzy feels like progress thanks you for all your work drew love your book helped me a lot .

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

I'm glad the book was helpful to you. Thanks so much for the feedback! :-)

[@janemariepearson5455]

I've have this for a while now. Also makes me feel like I can't see clearly. Eyesight goes weird. Really helpful. Thanks

[@user-ux5ls6qp4g]

How u now?

[@wren1019]

one cannot "always pull over". there are *so many* situations where it is impossible to pull over.

[@quendelf]

This is the last symptom that still comes and goes for me too. I think I’ve realised now that it’s mostly tension.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

This is a common "regular anxiety" and tension symptom for many people. It's one of the reasons we have phrase in western English like "when I heard the news the room started spinning". It's really annoying, isn't it? The fact that you can talk about it as a symptom that comes and goes and tie it to a state of tension is a good sign. It looks like you've done quite a bit of hard work on your recovery!

[@heronmontescrimson]

I think it’s a symptom of hyper vigilance

[@sonyafeigen3570]

Thanks!

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Thank you so much Sonya. That is a very generous gesture. :-)

[@AlbaLynxQueen]

I feel unsteady and like I am underwater. Everything also seems darker and weird

[@pattyboucetta1897]

Omg. Can’t believe you said “retreating from it”. I did just that. Came inside, laid down and drank water... guess that was wrong. 😩

[@danabare7061]

For me the room doesnt spin, its like when you wear someone elses glasses and everything is weird and you have to focus real hard to stay straight

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Ooooh I like the "someone else's glasses" analogy. That feels really accurate! What would happen if you didn't try so hard to focus and stay straight? Its the fight against the feeling that all but guarantees that it will keep returning.

[@danabare7061]

@@TheAnxiousTruth I don't know what will happen to be honest. It FEELS like I might fall.....but I'll be aware of my tension and relax when it happens and see. Thanks

[@dustintyson354]

This is my main problem chronic constant dizziness/ neck pain. Hopping I can solve this

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Overcoming anxiety is rarely if ever about trying to "solve" a particular sensation or symptom. It's in the NOT solving that we find the lessons we need.

[@dustintyson354]

@@TheAnxiousTruth thanks for reply I’ll work on it! Recently discovered you’re channel right now working on the surrendering/acceptance phase. Hope too start doing more exposure soon !! Thanks for all you do

[@donnarich1085]

I've felt with this for 10 years. 😫 I recently read an article on Chronic Subjective Dizziness that's treated with SSRI'S. Just wondering if it would help me. 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@jenniferpeers6946]

I have peripheral neuropathy and have put the unsteadiness down to eyesight and age, plus a very mild stroke in 2016 The last thing that went through my mind was anxiety. Going to have to reframe. I have never had heart palpitations, I have had the lump in the throat, and I avoid visitors but it did not occur to me that it was another anxiety symptom because I feel shaky with it and I keep dropping things or knocking things over. I am due for a check up so will hear what they come up with. Its a very scary feeling which creates anxiety and not wanting to move off your bed because it is so uncomfortable. Even more scary when you have led an active life and been fearless doing things most after a certain age dont do. I ignored age in the past and at 70 was still running and hiking.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

There's nothing wrong with keeping tabs of your health when there are actual issues at play. Might be be anxiety? Maybe. Might it be a combination of things? Maybe. We're only working on not adding additional stories and fear on top of the sensations, regardless of the source. Hang in there Jennifer.

[@lauraschmuck5565]

I have an inner ear issue that causes the crystals to go out of whack and will have extreme vertigo and then feeling like I will throw up. I have a phobia of vomiting so when this happens panic attacks compounds the problem. So after I get the crystals back into place my anxiety does not lessen and I still feel off and am so scared of getting it back. This year I had 3 epsisodes of inner ear imbalance and after each one, the panic gets worse. So now, everytime I feel light headed or feel like I am unsteady I start to feel like I am going to throw up. So as you can see, it turns into a horrible spiral and I literally can't move. I can't break this fear of it happening again.

[@pattyboucetta1897]

What if it’s not exactly dizziness but it’s a feeling that starts with sensing your heart when you go upstairs and then that causes the unsteady feeling in your chest and nervousness in your mind??

[@J.T845]

I have this pretty much all day. However, mine includes eye sensitivity, blurred vision, and brain fog. I’ve researched it and there’s a vision problem called binocular vision dysfunction. The symptoms include anxiety. Now I’m stressing over that 😢

[@chestnutmair1]

I think I hold my breath a lot. Sometimes I have to grab for air.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Breath holding and panting are SUPER common with anxious people. I was a breath holder too. Sometimes I still am when I get stressed. Its easy to do that automatically without even thinking, right? When you notice, let go, and understand that you're "grabbing for air" because you were holding your breath, not because something is actually impeding your breathing. The interpretation is still so very important.

[@jopht1640]

Mine started only this year,I have it everyday,feels like your're going to fall.

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

"Feels like" is a phrase that becomes an enemy for people struggling with chronic/disordered anxiety. It is a very uncomfortable and disruptive feeling for sure but challenging what it "feels like" is something to consider.

[@DaniEla-of4eo]

How do we get out of the fear of the dizziness? By telling ourself that we are ok and safe?

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

Telling ourselves really doesn't work. I'm guessing you've tried that for quite some time. We learn that the symptom isn't dangerous - and not worthy of that kind of fear - by acting as if it isn't dangerous, even when we're sure it it. That's really hard because it requires courage to get that ball rolling, but the part of our brains responsible for all this doesn't listen to words. It learns through experience.

[@user-dq9ig5zs6o]

Wow. That is me. I am more lightheaded than dizzy. I guess it is the same. What about when you get this uncomfortable feeling in you sleep or wake up with it?

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

That is uncomfortable but is not a special case that needs a special approach.

[@pattyboucetta1897]

How many times do we have to do the non reaction for the brain to get it????

[@rojobell1]

Good question 🙋‍♀️

[@a.m4404]

I get this unsteadiness and weird twiching thightness amd vibrations in my head weird blurry vision 24/7 although the panic attacks stopped months ago.. Mri scan was normal is this normal with anxiety

[@a.m4404]

@Stephen Lee really? This weird head sensations like internal head tremors or twiching also common?

[@2chainz4president]

@@a.m4404 yes absolutely

[@a.m4404]

@@2chainz4president will this stay forever? My panic attacks stopped after few weeks but this weird head brain moving sensations i get 1 year

[@mmnh1]

Same

[@LesbananesdeNana]

Hey! I Know you posted this comment 2 years ago but I feel exactly the same and I would like to know the evolution of your symptoms. I also had panic attacks a year ago but they stopped after a few weeks. But since then I feel a weird dizzy sensation, with head tremors too. Would be happy to have an answer from you, thanks!

[@franklinfamulski8638]

I find there's no quite "normal" way of describing the symptoms of anxiety. I mean unless you break put the dictionary and say something like discomposure or bewilderment something like that. Although, it's helpful to tie thendeelinfs to something within the normal sphere of understanding. I dont know what to think really irs really helpful these videos it's just annoying we can't fully describe what's going on. Like oh yeah your dizzy or unsteady it's still not accurate but the advice is for sure accurate for any feeling.

[@janiceince1965]

I'd trade my heart palps back for this dizziness to go away.. Any day...

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

That's a clue about symptoms isn't it? When you can refer to heart palps as "back in the day" when you were probably TOTALLY SURE that they were super important and horrible tells you something. How can you apply that to the current "most feared symptom"?

[@santsu8392]

I have palps + dizziness

[@user-rw1vb8iz5e]

I feel unsteady when I walk especially in public places but the funny thing is that I am able to stand on one foot for 2 min straight..and funny enough the sensation of unsteadiness even goes away!!

[@TheAnxiousTruth]

See how that works? Makes no sense, does it? So ... look at what you're doing to "accommodate" the unsteady feeling while walking, then do your best to drop those accommodations. What if you didn't try to fix that feeling? How can you use the standing on one foot experience to inform a change in how you react to the sensation when walking around in public?

[@user-rw1vb8iz5e]

@@TheAnxiousTruth Bro that's really weird..today before entering a mall I started sweating..inside the mall during those long corridors the sweat intensified..and the off balance feeling has begun..but I've noticed that inside the single shops in the mall that feeling went away..it happens only in corridors..what you think about that?

[@user-rw1vb8iz5e]

And that is still me..the guy who's able to stand for more than 2 min on one foot which I think is a great balance skill..

[@user-rw1vb8iz5e]

Maybe I subconciously think that in long open corridors I don't have anything to hold on if I fall?