I have observed a few different relationships between vertigo and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Vertigo can Cause PTSD
First of all, some people have such severe episodes of dizziness and vertigo that they actually get PTSD from the vertigo. They might experience flashbacks of the vertigo episode or have panic attacks worrying about a future vertigo episode.
I’ve had a number of people that say “I have PTSD from my episode of vertigo” and then when I go to try to do my exam or test them, their responses are hyper-vigilant.
They are very tense and highly stressed out throughout my whole exam and treatment because they have been so deeply affected emotionally by what they went through before.
Even if my exam doesn’t provoke severe symptoms, their emotional response is often exaggerated because they are traumatized from what they went through before.
For example, they might yell out, curse aloud or grab onto me during a vertigo presentation that another patient might describe as mild or moderate. I have seen this PTSD-type response to vertigo in even the strongest, toughest individuals and it is certainly not a reflection of character, but reflects the tremendous emotional impact of having severe vertigo on that individual.
I teach all my patients with this type of response some techniques for stress relief that they can use while working with me and if they get vertigo when I am not around.
PTSD can Cause Vertigo
If someone has PTSD, then panic attacks, nightmares or flashbacks they experience can cause them to hold their breath or cause shallow, rapid breathing called hyperventilation.
Holding the breath or hyperventilation due to PTSD can cause lightheadedness, dizziness – or even vertigo – for some people. It can also magnify pre-existing dizziness or vertigo.
Both can be Caused by a Single Traumatic Event
The third way that I have seen PTSD interact with dizziness and vertigo are people who experience a traumatic event causing a new onset of dizziness or vertigo and PTSD at the same time.
One example of this is the military veterans that are coming back home from war zones.
If they have been exposed to a roadside bomb, for example, that is a very traumatic experience, especially if the people they were with got killed or wounded in any way. That blast from the roadside bomb can cause the crystals in the inner ear to break loose, causing them to have true vertigo in their inner ear called BPPV and then also PTSD from the emotional experience, all from one incident or series of incidents that they went through in a war zone.
In that example, the military veteran may also experience a post-concussion brain injury affecting their mental function and/ or ringing in the ears, called tinnitus.
All of the new symptoms that appeared after the traumatic event need to be addressed for the best recovery.
Car accidents, domestic violence or a physical assault are other examples of traumatic events that can cause both PTSD and dizziness or vertigo to show up at the same time.
Those are the three different ways that I have seen PTSD interact with dizziness and vertigo in my clinical practice.
Both physical and mental health needs to be addressed in order for the best outcomes when someone has both dizziness or vertigo and PTSD.
A lot of times, people with PTSD might need mental health support while they are also in Vestibular Rehabilitation for dizziness and vertigo.
Disclaimer
This blog is provided for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The details of any case mentioned in this post represent a typical patient that I might see and do not describe the circumstances of a specific individual.
I only recently (admittedly I had a friend say who has PTSD tell me) was told I could have PSTD because of my vertigo, it was October 26th 4:23am of 2019 and I woke up feeling sick. I went to the bathroom and turned the lights on where I could see nothing, everything was moving, that lasted three weeks and two days with lots of help from specialists. I have difficulty falling asleep ever since then, the feeling of falling, or floating triggers me into a cry or I just can’t sleep. It’s been that way for a year and some now, I just want to know if there’s anyway I could help myself and not be scared of sleeping anymore?
Hi Dylan,
It sounds like you have a good friend there!
It sounds like you could benefit from a round of Vestibular physical therapy to resolve the feeling of falling or floating that is triggering you.
You can use this blog to find a Vestibular Physical Therapist in your area.
I have many blogs on BPPV that you can check out. I also have a blog on Vestibular Neuritis that may be related to your situation.
Without evaluating you in person, I cannot guess what happened to you but I can say that Vestibular Physical Therapy is effective.
Once you sort out recovering from the current triggers you feel at night through Vestibular Therapy, then the fear may resolve.
Mental health therapy for PTSD may help you now, or in the future.
You can research local resources for PTSD in your area to see what kind of help you can find.
Yes, recovery is possible if you find the right providers.
Best wishes,
Kim Bell, DPT
Hello, I can completely relate with the content. After a fall at home I had spine fracture which followed almost after a month by sudden vertigo and PTSD. I had been on bed rest and used to relive the moment of the fall in my mind and was hyperaroused, it was unpleasant to the core and I used to say out loud…”No”, before I knew it. As I mentioned earlier, this then followed by vertigo one fine day and it is then…that I developed further signs of PTSD.
Normally I am emotionally a very balanced person and such extreme emotional states were very alien to me.
I read yesterday that when there is a trauma to the chest or spine, the chances of getting PTSD are more. I guess it could be because vital organs are located around that area and body could be seeing the trauma as threat of death to the body. Now since it has been almost 2 years post fall and I have recovered physically and mentally through exercise/Physiotherapy, still I carry obvious fear of fall around with me. I think ongoing bone building exercises and my regular meditation will take care of it all. Thank you for the blog.
I absolutely think I have PTSD from a very bad episode of vertigo lasting on and off for 2 months. The violent spinning was so bad I was bed ridden and relied on my daughter to help me. I have always gotten vertigo but never that bad. Now I have flashbacks, I fear driving or moving my head wrong. I fear sleep because I’m afraid I will wake up spinning. There are split moments everyday that I quickly stop and think oh no its back making me cry only to realize im fine. The anxiety is out of control.
Hi Debra,
I am so sorry to hear what you are going through!
You are not alone. I have met many people who feel the same way, which is why I wrote this blog.
This blog discusses the relationship between anxiety and vertigo.
This blog discusses strategies to alleviate vertigo.
I suggest for you to notify your primary care provider of what is happening, and pursue professional mental health support.
Addressing the mental and emotional impact of the trauma that can occur from experiencing vertigo is key to a full recovery!
In the blog, I discuss how unaddressed mental health issues can limit vestibular recovery.
I hope you are able to find a skilled vestibular provider as well to help you.
I wish you all the best.
Take care,
Kim Bell, DPT
I’m so stressed from my vertigo. It seems to come and go, I get it every day but can get relief for hours At a time. It does feel better in cars but I haven’t taken any sea voyage recently. Didn’t go through any trauma before hand. The only thing I was going through was panic attacks where my whole body would feel tense. I have health anxiety so this has been very hard for me. Every day I feel like it’s a different disease. Physiotherapy offered temporary relief only.
Hi Alyssa,
I am so sorry to hear about your daily discomfort!
I wrote this article and this article to discuss the connection between vertigo and anxiety.
You may need to find a Vestibular Physiotherapist who specializes in treating dizziness and vertigo. You can use this article which shares two online provider directories.
Feeling stressed and frustrated by vertigo is very common. You are not alone!
You can use this article and this article to help document your symptoms, so you can present your case clearly to a Vestibular doctor or physiotherapist.
Don’t give up! You may need more than one healthcare provider to address the physical aspects and mental health components of your case.
I hope you feel better soon!
Sincerely,
Dr. Kim Bell, DPT
Within the last few years a childhood set of dramas have surfaced. I nightmares with yelling and screaming out loud. When I wake up from a nightmare whether it be 2am or when I wake up in the morning. I feel dizzy, lightheaded, sometimes nauseous. The episodes can last from an hour to all day. The nightmares are mad enough. Dealing with these new symptoms keeps me from my normal mornings. Could this be vertigo due to my nightmares?
Hi Michelle,
The vertigo and dizziness can be related to the nightmares. I have had patients who had nightmares about getting vertigo, and also patients who woke up dizzy seemingly due to the stress of a nightmare.
The best outcome is to consult both a mental health provider to help you deal with the terrifying nightmares and a Vestibular Physical Therapist to assess you for other causes of dizziness.
You will likely need a team approach for optimal recovery.
I hope you feel better soon!
Sincerely,
Kim Bell, DPT