Can Stress Cause Vertigo?

Yes, in some cases, people living with chronic stress report vertigo or dizziness when in stressful situations. This may lead someone to believe that their stress is causing them to lose their balance and coordination.

What Is Vertigo?

Vertigo is a condition that causes you to feel like you are moving or the world is spinning around you even when you are not moving. Some people may describe this sensation as dizziness, but vertigo and dizziness differ. Vertigo is sometimes accompanied by other symptoms such as sweating, headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

This article explores the connection between stress and vertigo and what you should do if you exhibit signs of either or both conditions.

What's the Connection Between Stress and Vertigo? 

In some cases, people report feeling vertigo symptoms when stressed. This caused researchers and scientists to explore if there was a link between both conditions.

By some estimates, up to 5% of adults in the United States report experiencing vertigo when they are stressed or anxious.

When stressed, particular hormones such as cortisol becomes elevated. A rise in these stress hormones can potentially disrupt your vestibular system. In a 2016 study, researchers observed that a group with Ménière’s disease, which causes vertigo, experienced fewer symptoms when their vasopressin (a stress hormone) levels were lowered. 

Can Stress Cause Dizziness? 

Dizziness and vertigo are two terms often used interchangeably. However, they are distinct sensations.

Impact of Stress and Vertigo 

Living with chronic stress for an extended period can significantly affect your overall well-being. Conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity, and sleep disorders have all been linked to chronic stress.

Diagnosis of Stress and Vertigo 

There are no specific diagnostic criteria for stress. When stressed, you can experience a variety of symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, mood changes, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.

Dix-Hallpike Test 

Doctors may use the Dix-Hallpike test to diagnose positional vertigo. The test involves being put in a position that could trigger your vertigo. When you begin exhibiting symptoms of vertigo, they’ll examine your eyes for any indication of vertigo. It’s used to diagnose a common benign cause of vertigo.

Treatment of Stress and Vertigo 

Going to see a doctor when experiencing stress-induced vertigo is crucial. This is because other underlying conditions (aside from stress) could be responsible for your vertigo.

Psychotherapy 

One of the most evidence based forms of psychotherapy for managing stress is cognitive- behavioral therapy (CBT). One study also revealed that CBT can effectively help manage dizziness symptoms.

Coping With Stress and Vertigo 

If you’ve been experiencing stress-induced vertigo, lowering your stress levels is the best way to manage both conditions.

Managing Stress

Some of the best ways to manage your stress levels include:  

• Exercising: Exercise has long been linked with reduced stress levels. Understandably it can be hard to make time for exercise when you are stressed. You shouldn’t think of exercise as an hour-long daily commitment. A brisk 30-minute walk a day is a great place to start exercising. 
• Getting enough sleep: It’s recommended for the average adult to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep daily for optimal functioning. This is even more crucial when stressed. 
• Eliminating stressors: Removing stressors from your life that are in your control goes a long way in helping you manage your stress levels. 
• Meditation: Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you reduce your stress levels.

Managing Vertigo

There are also ways for you to manage your vertigo to prevent it from significantly affecting your daily functioning.

Summary 

While stress doesn’t directly cause vertigo, it can trigger chemical changes in your body, potentially affecting your vestibular system. Your vestibular system is responsible for managing your balance and coordination. When it’s thrown off, symptoms such as vertigo and dizziness can sometimes occur. Finding ways to treat and manage your stress levels, however, can prevent vertigo associated with stress from occurring. 

A Word From Verywell 

Anyone who has experienced vertigo will agree that it can be a destabilizing and confusing sensation. Severe cases of vertigo can affect your daily functioning, as everyday activities such as driving or walking become risky.

If you find that your vertigo comes on when you are stressed or in stressful situations, that could indicate that they are linked. However, other underlying conditions could cause vertigo, and most people living with chronic stress do not experience vertigo.

It’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider to get to the root cause of your symptoms and work together to come up with a treatment plan.