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Anxiety due to Vision Problems?

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Within the past 4 months I have been under a lot of stress due to college work and finals. After the semester ended I started a new job where I sit at a computer basically for 8 hours a day. I noticed my vision starting to get more blurry and I needed to wear my glasses basically all day to feel comfortable seeing (I usually only where them when i read). Recently, I was driving home to NJ and out of nowhere became really anxious. I felt dizzy and like my head was almost not attached to my body. My throat tightened up and I couldn't breath. When I would come to a red light, I literally felt like I was going to pass out because I just wanted to keep driving. Recently it has only been happening when I drive which makes me think its because I have to focus my eyes, or the motion of my surroundings around me makes me almost "motion sick." I have never had a problem driving long distances or with my vision until now. Can my vision and my anxiety be related? Is medication a good solution?
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First Helper User Profile MandMs
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replied May 29th, 2009
Extremely eHealthy
Your anxiety and vision problem are separate problems, although a panic/anxiety attack can be manifested with vision symptoms, too (it can appear as your vision has altered, experiencing increased light, spots in your vision, and blurred vision).
It is well known that computer use for prolonged periods can aggravate one's vision.
Actually, anyone who spends more than two hours in front of the computer each day is likely to experience some degree of computer vision syndrome, with the following symptoms: headache, loss of focus, double vision, blurred vision, eye strain, eye fatigue, burning eyes.
Wearing your reading glasses aren't solving this problem.
Try to make frequent short brakes from the computer screen and consult your ophthalmologist for computer glasses.
Your anxiety is manifested every time you drive, not because you need to focus, but because panic attacks tend to reappear in certain situation.
This is known as situational predisposed panic attacks.
You can be predisposed to have panic attacks in certain situation or place (driving car), although you are not frightened of the situation or place (I have never had a problem driving long distances).

See a psychologist (cognitive-behavior therapy is a treatment of choice for anxiety disorders)!
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replied December 27th, 2011
it was helpful to me
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replied September 26th, 2012
I went through the same thing with anxiety. Especially the feeling like I was going to pass out at stoplights. I chalked it up to the fight or flight response making me feel trapped. If the cars moving, youre at least "in flight" mode. The light and the car make me feel trapped. I eventually tried to refocus my mind with great success. Whether it was scanning the radio stations or singing out loud. I know there are a lot of professionals that can help you, however, I also found a healthy diet did wonders for my anxiety. Keeping blood sugar steady really helped head off attacks. Of course exercise was also extremely helpful. I went from being an active college student to an 8-10 hour per day office worker. This is when I eventually developed anxiety and panic attacks. It can be dealt with, you're not alone and remember, a few deep breaths and a couple of minutes passing and the attack will pass. Focus on that next time one happens
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replied September 26th, 2012
I went through the same thing with anxiety. Especially the feeling like I was going to pass out at stoplights. I chalked it up to the fight or flight response making me feel trapped. If the cars moving, youre at least "in flight" mode. The light and the car make me feel trapped. I eventually tried to refocus my mind with great success. Whether it was scanning the radio stations or singing out loud. I know there are a lot of professionals that can help you, however, I also found a healthy diet did wonders for my anxiety. Keeping blood sugar steady really helped head off attacks. Of course exercise was also extremely helpful. I went from being an active college student to an 8-10 hour per day office worker. This is when I eventually developed anxiety and panic attacks. It can be dealt with, you're not alone and remember, a few deep breaths and a couple of minutes passing and the attack will pass. Focus on that next time one happens
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