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What Causes Symptoms Of Feeling Off Balance & Floating Inspite Of My Agoraphobia And Anxiety?

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Posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Question: When i wake up in the morning, upon standing I feel off balance most of the time, but I feel it throughout the day as well. I am a homebound agoraphobic and have been so cine this past October, so I get panic attacks almost every day as well as high anxiety. But as for the off balance feelings, it feels like I'm tilting one way sometimes or floating like in an elevator. I've never fallen or vomitted from this, but these sensations really scare me. They've been on and off the past 4-5 months. Also, i've had blood work done that came back normal, blood pressure normal as well and also sugar levels normal. Also, these feelings seem to get worse when I'm more anxious or put in a situation that makes me anxious. I've also been depressed at times because of this and have had thoughts of suicide, which seem to be more often now. I wish i wasn't born at times if this is what life is going to be like!
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Answered by Dr. Ashish Mittal (3 hours later)
Brief Answer: Symptoms related to anxiety. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress. Important aspects of your query are: • 29 year old male • Known case of Agoraphobia, Panic disorder and GAD • Complaints of: Anxiety symptoms, Panic attacks (daily), feeling off balance & floating. You are having already having several symptoms of anxiety. In severe anxiety patient may feel dizziness, which can give symptoms like: feeling off balance & floating. Anxiety occurs due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter. You may need treatment with psychiatrist to treat your anxiety. It is not clear if you received any treatment in past, but believe me people life changes after treatment. There is need for treatment, if symptoms cause significant personal distress or affect personal/professional life like in your case. Both drug and non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) are used for treatment. Choice of treatment depends on severity of symptoms, personal preference and availability of treatment. In drug treatment of anxiety two types of medicine used. For immediate relief of anxiety benzodiazepines group of medicines (like clonazepam) are used for short duration (due to risk of dependence). For long term relief most commonly SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used. SSRI takes around 3-4 weeks to show its effect, till that time benzodiazepines control the anxiety symptoms. All these medicines are prescription medicine and given after in person examination by physician. Apart from above advice following simple measures will help you: -Decrease worrying by keeping yourself busy and distracted from worrisome thoughts by talking to family members or watching T.V. or counting back (100 to 0). -Healthy diet: Milk and fruits in diet. -Daily morning walk -Follow structured daily routine. Fix sleep and wake up time. -Do not use excessive caffeine (tea, coffee and cold drink) -Stop substance use like alcohol (If present in your case) -Breathing exercise, yoga and meditation (which you can learn from some nearby expert) I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups. Wish you good health. Regards, http://bit.ly/Dr-Ashish-Mittal
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Ashish Mittal

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 1859 Questions

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What Causes Symptoms Of Feeling Off Balance & Floating Inspite Of My Agoraphobia And Anxiety?

Brief Answer: Symptoms related to anxiety. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for your query. I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress. Important aspects of your query are: • 29 year old male • Known case of Agoraphobia, Panic disorder and GAD • Complaints of: Anxiety symptoms, Panic attacks (daily), feeling off balance & floating. You are having already having several symptoms of anxiety. In severe anxiety patient may feel dizziness, which can give symptoms like: feeling off balance & floating. Anxiety occurs due to neurotransmitters imbalance in brain most commonly involving serotonin neurotransmitter. You may need treatment with psychiatrist to treat your anxiety. It is not clear if you received any treatment in past, but believe me people life changes after treatment. There is need for treatment, if symptoms cause significant personal distress or affect personal/professional life like in your case. Both drug and non drug treatment like cognitive behaviour therapy (form of psychotherapy) are used for treatment. Choice of treatment depends on severity of symptoms, personal preference and availability of treatment. In drug treatment of anxiety two types of medicine used. For immediate relief of anxiety benzodiazepines group of medicines (like clonazepam) are used for short duration (due to risk of dependence). For long term relief most commonly SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used. SSRI takes around 3-4 weeks to show its effect, till that time benzodiazepines control the anxiety symptoms. All these medicines are prescription medicine and given after in person examination by physician. Apart from above advice following simple measures will help you: -Decrease worrying by keeping yourself busy and distracted from worrisome thoughts by talking to family members or watching T.V. or counting back (100 to 0). -Healthy diet: Milk and fruits in diet. -Daily morning walk -Follow structured daily routine. Fix sleep and wake up time. -Do not use excessive caffeine (tea, coffee and cold drink) -Stop substance use like alcohol (If present in your case) -Breathing exercise, yoga and meditation (which you can learn from some nearby expert) I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups. Wish you good health. Regards, http://bit.ly/Dr-Ashish-Mittal