Vertigo, Anxiety-related Dizziness & Anxiety-related Balance Problems
Can Stress or Anxiety Exacerbate or Even Cause Vertigo, Dizziness or Balance Disturbances?
Our practice provides psychological treatment to many individuals with vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems that are induced or exacerbated by stress or anxiety. In some cases vertigo and related phenomena can be caused entirely by anxiety-induced physiological changes, such as with panic attacks. In these cases brief psychological therapy can often eliminate the problem. In other cases psychological factors exacerbate the problem and hence CBT therapy can reduce symptoms and reduce their impact an a person’s lifestyle.
It appears that stress or anxiety can produce dizziness or disrupted balance via a number of different processes some of which include: shifts in blood-oxygen levels due to anxiety-induced increases in respiration rate, altered perception associated with anxiety-related changes in selective attention, and kinaesthetic changes associated with shifts in selective attention.
Psychological therapy can be extremely effective in the treatment of these dizziness and balance problems, sometimes with only a few therapy sessions. Psychological treatment involves learning CBT techniques to: manage anxiety, control the physical symptoms and desensitise yourself to the anxiety-related physical sensations.
However some forms of vertigo and balance problems have a purely physical cause. Therefore it is important to have your symptoms investigated by your local doctor before seeking psychological treatment.
For more information on panic attacks click on this link: panic attacks.
Rebates of $110 per 50 minute consultation are now available to those with appropriate referrals. See “Fees & Medicare” section.
For information on making an appointment for treatment for Vertigo & Dizziness in the Sydney go to our link: make an appointment online.
or call our office on: (02) 9621 7775.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information only and should not be relied on for treatment. You should speak to a Psychologist to clarify the nature of any problems you have and the most appropriate treatment.