What Causes Prolonged Lightheadedness And Dizziness When Suffering From Anxiety?

Posted on Sun, 11 May 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 11 May 2014 Answered on

Wed, 28 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have had lightheadedness for 2 months. Also have bad dizzy spells that come and go. It started after a night of heavy drinking. During those two months I have quit smoking. I also have severe anxiety disorder and hypochondria and panic attacks. I tend to think the worst. I am fearing I have a brain tumor that is slowly getting worse. I am 26 year old male. I saw an ENT and two doctors and both said it's anxiety. Thy performed neurological exams and audiogram for hearing. Are they right should I believe them? I am scared to death it is a brain cancer. I hate random dizzy spells and sometimes swimming or elevators make me feel a lot worse. Should I be afraid? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Headache is due to hypochondriasis

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for using healthcare magic. I, Dr Abhishek Kapoor, would help you in this query.

Light headache for two months with history of anxiety disorder, i would first keep possibility of psychogenic headache. May be due to stress or hypochondria. In any underline neurological disorder, headache would be severe and it may also associated with physical symptoms like body weakness etc. Along with that, all investigations came normal, in that case, chances of any neurological tumor is less.

In your case, all symptoms are towards hypochondriasis. You should consult a psychiatrist. I think, you need some antidepressant with low dose benzodiazepine that would help you to come out of this situation. Just relax. More you do panic, more such symptoms would increase.

In case, you need more help, you can ask.

Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (9 hours later)

Your right the more I worry about it and focus on it, the worse it gets and the worse I feel. But I dont have a headache. I am lightheaded, not a light headache. I am not quite dizzy, just kind of "off balance" sensation. I rarely have headaches with this, sometimes a light one here and there yes. I also have woken up at 2 am for 7 nights in a row. I am afraid a brain tumor is causing the sleep disturbance and the off balance sensation I have been suffering from with 2 months. But I did see an ENT doctor and my regular doctor numerous times and did nueorlogical exams and checked my ears, and some other minor tests and said its anxiety all stemmed from the dizzy spell I got after I drank that one night 2 months ago. Do you agree with them, should I not be worried, even though this has lasted 2 months?

Answered by Dr. Abhishek Kapoor (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You may have tension headache

Detailed Answer:
Hi

You may have heaviness in head and that is due to tense about brain tumor. You do not have any sign and symptom of brain tumor like severe headache, physical paralysis, weight loss, blur vision etc. In that case, there is no need to worry. I think, you should consult your psychiatrist and adjust your antidepressant dose or do some relaxation exercise that could keep you calm. More you stay tense, more you would get such kind of symptoms. You are just 26 and should enjoy your life. There is no need to worry about such body symptoms.

In case, you need further help, you can ask.

Regards
Dr. Abhishek Kapoor
Psychiatrist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar