Mental Health Visual vertigo syndrome

[Soulgasm]

So I was just doing some research and came across visual vertigo syndrome aka "supermarket syndrome". The symptoms describe what I have felt like down to a t after a semi recent traumatic brain injury (it is apparently commonly seen in recovering tbi patients). It basically consists of not being able to tolerate crowds and experiencing dizziness and off balance issues around over stimulating "supermarket" atmospheres. Damn, it gave me so much relief to read that and see that what I've been experiencing isn't so uncommon as the dizziness and panic I've been experiencing around certain stimuli is a constant source of anxiety for me. I have an appt with a psych soon to see if he can confirm this and get some more info.

Anyways, has anyone heard of/ dealt with this? I'd like to learn some good strategies to try and overcome it. I used to be an outgoing and spontaneous individual, frequenting festivals, shows, bazaars, etc. and now the mere thought of this almost makes me panic. This, in turn, has led to increased isolation, depression, and substance abuse in my life. If anyone's got any experience with this or similar issues, I'm all ears!

 

[tundradesert523]

I have had symptoms similar to this for about a year now. I noticed it after a stint of psychedelic use that led me to getting off of the suboxone i was using at the time. after rehab and now a year later I have noticed that i can get very easily overwhelmed in crowded situations with bright lights and a lot of noise. supermarkets are a definite trigger and now that i'm in school it can happen in classrooms too and thats no good at all. I noticed an auditory phenomenon that happens from time to time also. when i have my eyes closed and i hear someone's voice its hard to tell if they're right next to me or far away.

The good news is that this has gotten a little better over time. It also fluctuates with my mood. so if I'm having a shitty day its more likely to happen. exercise has seemed to help with this and my mood. exercise definitely seems to make everything about my recovery better. I know you hear that everywhere but its true. look up some stuff about the neuro-biology of exercise and you'll see the benefits that it can have to your brain health. it would definitely help you with your situation.

 

[fifimurphycat]

a guy I know suffered from vertigo for about 30 years and his daughter had it as well, she had a doc tell her to see someone in london and it was about an inner ear imbalance or something like that she had to focus on a point on the wall walk towards it then walk back a few times everyday and it went away, after he had been taken medication for years he went to the same place in london and found out he was the same. he worked on those huge cranes you see over building sites so had to take medication for all those years now though he is fine without them . it was a private clinic and I think it cost about the 2k marker but worth it.