What Could Be The Cause For Panic Attack When Suffering From Vertigo?

Posted on Wed, 8 Jan 2014

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

Wed, 8 Jan 2014 Answered on

Fri, 31 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : hi So I had a bad bout of vertigo last night around 2am. I woke up almost feel over but caught myself. Continued to feel dizzy after and felt better lying down. I have no other problems, blood pressure is normal so is glucose levels and blood work thyroid ok, no fever (got a physical back in september). I started feeling this off balance feeling more this past sunday while watching football. It seemed to have gotten worse because I also suffer from panic disorder and GAD. I have been homebound agoraphobic since october after a very bad panic attack while driving on the freeway. The vertigo is also worse when I'm around people as opposed to being alone at home. I take no medications for my disorders, only vitamins B-complex and Inositol (500mg twice a day). I was told my severe anxiety make the vertigo feel worse than it is. I've not fallen or passed out due to it. But it's made the last couple of days extremely hard for me. Please help!

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (14 hours later)

Brief Answer: BPPV is the most common cause Detailed Answer: There are very few causes for vertigo at your age. Vertigo can be caused by problems in the brain or in the ear. The way you describe your giddiness i feel the problem probably lies with your ear where the organ for balance is located. I would have to examine you to know the exact cause but by the symptoms i feel that it could be simple BPPV. BPPV is the most common cause for vertigo in your age group. Patients with BPPV develop dizzy spells on sudden movements of the head. The giddiness usually settles in a few minutes only to return with movements of the head. It can be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Do not worry. It can be very easily controlled with labyrinthine sedatives and exercises. Please consult your ENT for confirmation of the condition and treatment. Feel free to follow up. Good luck, Dr XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (6 hours later)

What sorts of exercises can I do? I got up too fast this morning and felt like i was falling backwards (I caught myself though). This is such a scary feeling! I'd rather have pain than be imbalanced.

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Brandt - Daroff exercises. Detailed Answer: Hi again, You can look for Brandt - Daroff exercises on you tube. Regards, Dr Rajkishori.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (20 minutes later)

Thank you! I wanted to ask if this could also be a viral infection in the ear or just anxiety since I suffer from panic disorder? My neck and shoulder muscles are usually sore in the morning and i can usually feel a knot in the back of my neck when I get a dizzy spell.

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (7 hours later)

Brief Answer: Not viral inner ear infection Detailed Answer: Hi Mr XXXXXXX I do not think that it is viral inner ear infection. Viral infection ususally produces very violent vertigo accompanied by vomiting. To rule out anxiety induced giddiness the only way will be to do some tests of balance These tests are simple and basic tests and done in any ENT OPD. Your ENT doctor will know them. Hope i have answered your query. Regards, Dr Rajkishori.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (1 hour later)

Does BPPV go away by itself if I don't want to take medication? Thank you, sorry for bugging you so much.

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer: will go away. Detailed Answer: Hi Mr XXXXXXX BPPV is a very harmless disease and it will eventually go away but will take longer if you do not take medicines. I very much recommend you to consult your ENT to confirm or refute the diagnosis. Lets not jump to conclusions. Mr XXXXXXX you are always most welcome to ask me any number of queries. It will be my pleasure to answer. Regards, Dr Rajkishori.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (37 hours later)

I wake up in the morning very groggy and off balance now. When I have to talk to someone, I feel like I'm tilting to the side or forward like I'm going to fall. Is this part of the vertigo of BPPV? thank you!

Answered by Dr. Rajkishori Godhi (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer: It is important to visit the doctor for the tests Detailed Answer: Hi Mr XXXXXXX They can be symptoms of BPPV. Mr XXXXXXX i once again insist that you should pay a visit to the local ENT. Without doing the tests of balance and examining the ear it is wrong to come to any diagnosis. You are young and by your symptoms it is unlikely that it is anything serious but it will be very wrong to speculate any further Regards, Dr Rajkishori.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T