Can people see things out of the corner of their eyes due to anxiety?

This blog answers: Can people see things out of the corner of their eyes due to anxiety? What are some ways to manage anxiety for visual hallucination? What is Anxiety?

Can people see things out of the corner of their eyes due to anxiety?

Many individuals have reported seeing things out of the corner of their eyes due to anxiety. This usually occurs due to very high levels of stress that individuals experience because of anxiety. These things that individuals might see out of the corner of their eyes might be a tunnel-like site or diminished peripheral vision.

Anxiety does not cause hallucination as a symptom alone rather these experiences are a result of various other symptoms of anxiety such as distraction, panic, and a sense of impending doom.

How do deal with visual hallucinations caused by anxiety?

Some ways to deal with visual hallucination caused by anxiety are:

Tell yourself you’re not losing touch with reality

The first and most important thing an individual can do to manage the visual hallucinations that are caused by anxiety leading them to see things from the corner of their eyes is to consciously remind themselves that they aren’t losing touch with reality or going crazy.

Remind yourself that the visual hallucination is short-lived

Individuals must remind themselves that this hallucination is short-lived and will fade away once their anxiety comes down. This gives them a sense that it is anxiety that is causing them to see things and not them dissociating.

Seek help from a professional

Seeing a therapist can also be helpful when individuals experience visual Hallucinations due to anxiety. Experiencing hallucination can be seen as an extreme form of stress and worry which leads to an increased anxiety score.

In such cases seeking professional help is the best option so that the therapist can help you regulate your thoughts and emotions such that you do not have to experience such severe symptoms of anxiety.

What are some ways to manage anxiety for visual hallucination?

Some ways to control seeing things from the corner of your eyes require an individual to control their anxiety. 

This can be done in the following ways: 

Identify and acknowledge the triggers

The most significant strategy that can be used to control one’s anxiety is by identifying and acknowledging those triggers.

Being able to recognize what makes an individual anxious makes them better equipped to take action.

Relaxation techniques

 

Even though anxiety can be bought under an individual’s control it cannot be predicted. In such situations, it is necessary that an individual actively carries out relaxation techniques.

These might include meditation, yoga, and deep breathing which helps to reduce the intensity of anxiety within a short period.

Socialization

 

A key to reducing the frequency and intensity of anxiety attacks could be spending time with close family and friends.

The kind of emotional and practical support provided by these social and personal groups help the person feel connected and aid in distracting one’s mind from negative and recurring thoughts that lead to anxiety.

Apart from friends and families, individuals can also consider speaking to groups of people that are experiencing similar problems.

Set realistic goals

When an individual is feeling overwhelmed, setting goals and targets keeping in mind priorities can help resolve overwhelming feelings of fear or panic.

Setting goals provides structure and routine to an individual’s life reducing space for uncertainty which can be a major trigger for anxiety in many cases.

Take up new challenges

Apart from doing activities that an individual is usually fond of and has expertise in, trying new and challenging activities that put an individual outside their comfort zone in a healthy manner may help reduce the stress and anger temporarily.

Signing up for new activities also provides a path to meeting people with similar stories and concerns.

Lifestyle changes

An individual’s lifestyle plays a major role in their experience of anxiety. An unhealthy and busy lifestyle usually leads to unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, lack of adequate sleep.

A combination of a well-set diet, exercise, and sleep can help to regulate an individual’s mood and equip them with a favorable coping mechanism.

These coping mechanisms in turn help to get control over once anxiety concerns in a more adaptable manner.

lack of proper diet, sleep, and exercise can make an individual sluggish, dependent, moody and vulnerable to anxiety attacks.

Making journal entries

Last but not least having a journal to write down how a person is feeling and thinking when they are anxious helps them to reflect upon their thoughts and feelings.

Putting down one’s thoughts and feelings onto a paper helps to provide a sense of temporary relief.

In the case of journal entry, a person does not even have to fear being judged by another person regarding their thoughts and feelings.

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

Cognitive-behavioural therapy helps an individual to control their anxiety by using strategies like relaxation and breathing. It works on the principles of replacing negative thoughts with positive ones.

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is a kind of therapy in which an individual is exposed to a particular stimulus that they usually fear or are anxious about in a graded order.

As and when the individual gets comfortable with the situation or stimulus introduced or exposed to them with each session, individuals get more comfortable with a real-life situation that might have otherwise been a source for triggering anxiety.

Group therapy

 

It is based on the principle that when an individual interacts with other people who are suffering from the same fears they might not feel left alone or isolated. Group therapy usually involves a group of individuals who are experiencing similar symptoms and problems.

Medication

Anxiety can also be treated with the help of medication prescribed by a health care professional.

Though medication alone cannot help in reducing persistent anxiety it can help in restoring a sense of control and bring temporary relief. 

Online therapy  

In cases where reaching out physically to a professional is impossible or discomforting an individual can opt to seek help through the online medium. 

In this, the therapy sessions are carried out one-to-one over a video or audio call. Some individuals also prefer interacting with the therapist through text as well due to various reasons. One of the most common is the fear of being judged by the therapist or some personal hesitation. 

Online therapy can help individuals to regulate some aspects of their anxiety that aids individuals in carrying out a stress-free life over time

 What is Anxiety?

Problems and resulting stress are usually accompanied by some common emotions like confusion, feeling at the edge, a sense of helplessness, and recurrent negative thoughts which can collectively be seen as an individual experiencing what’s commonly called  Anxiety. 

Every human has their unique ways of dealing with these difficult situations and the following emotions, some try to adapt to the circumstances and find the best and most comfortable solution while others try to find an escape route for the same, in both cases the main aim is usually to get over the uncomfortable emotions of anxiety. 

Conclusion

Anxiety does not usually make someone experience visual hallucination however it might cause a combination of feelings such as distraction, hyper-alertness which leads to a sense of hallucination. Treating anxiety is the best way to help individuals to stop seeing things from the corner of their eyes due to stress.

Frequently asked questions: Can people see things out of the corner of their eyes due to anxiety?

Why do I keep seeing things in the corner of my eyes?

Seeing things from the corner of your eyes can also be referred to as visual hallucination and it can be due to increased levels of stress. It usually indicates that there is something that is occupying an individual brain that is discomforting and causing tricks on the person.

Can anxiety cause you to see things?

People with anxiety and other mental health conditions might experience hallucinations. These hallucinations might be visual or auditory. The hallucinations are very short-lived and are related to a specific emotion that is predominantly present in the person at a given time.

Will eye floaters go away?

Many individuals report experiencing eye floaters for a very long time, Its frequency might decrease over time significantly.

How long can eye floaters last?

Eye floaters usually disappear within a few weeks while in other cases it might last for a few months. This depends on the type of severity the individual is experiencing.

What is psychotic anxiety?

Anxiety with psychotic features is described as a person who feels they are losing control because their sense of reality is distorted.

Citations

https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/signs/hallucinations

Anxiety is not an excuse?