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These panic attacks are caused by an overload of visual stimuli, which those with VH aren’t able to process correctly.
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If you have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and suffer from panic attacks when in open, crowded spaces with high ceilings, such as malls and supermarkets, you may actually be experiencing symptoms of visual vertigo stemming from your visual system. An ongoing cycle of dizziness and anxiety is created. Too often in these cases, the original source of the anxiety is overlooked and anxiety medications are prescribed, which can further hamper the ability of the eye muscle to function correctly. When something as simple as walking becomes a source of fear and apprehension, anxiety quickly sets in. Even a slight misalignment can overwork the eye muscles and cause eye strain, which then leads to headaches and dizziness.įor people who don’t know they are suffering from VH, this unexplained dizziness can turn their world upside down. VH is caused by a misalignment of the eyes. Vertical heterophoria (VH) is one manifestation of an eye disorder known as binocular vision dysfunction, or BVD. The Connection Between Vertical Heterophoria and Anxiety Medications exist to treat these disorders, but what if your anxiety is really being caused by something else? According to the American Psychiatric Association, anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders, and affect roughly 30% of the adult population at one time or another in their lives.
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They start withdrawing from society, and if left unchecked, anxiety can make them afraid to even leave home. People who suffer from anxiety disorders are regularly plagued by fear, to the point that they start avoiding places or situations that may trigger an anxiety attack.
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