Common symptoms of Vestibular Dysfunction:

Usually described as a spinning feeling – as if the environment around you is moving.

A vague description which can include the feeling like you are rocking in a boat, spinning, floating, or have light headedness.

You may feel clumsy or uncoordinated, feel like you are being pulled to one side, have difficulty going around corners or negotiating around objects, want to hold on to things or look down when moving about.  This feeling is usually worse in the dark or in large open spaces.

Often described as feeling that your timing is off, between yourself and the environment.  It is often associated with feeling nauseated, or simply unwell, in response to movement or visual stimuli. It may be difficult to negotiate through busy or moving environments such as grocery stores or escalators. Driving may be difficult.

It may occur in response to dizziness or you could have a constant low grade feeling of this.

This may include trouble focusing, tracking objects, and reading (especially on computers or televisions). Your vision may seem to jump or appear doubled. You may have increased sensitivity to certain types of light (especially glare, flickering, and fluorescent lights). You may also have poor depth perception and increased night blindness.

You may have decreased hearing on one side, have pressure in your ears, or noise/ringing known as tinnitus. You may also have sensitivity to loud noises.

You may have difficulty concentrating, be easily distracted, and feel forgetful. It might be difficult to do simple math or reading and you feel easily confused. It may be hard to follow conversations – especially in busy environments where there is background noise or movement. You may feel fatigued or exhausted with minimal or routine activity.

You may have a fear of falling, panic attacks, or generalized apprehension about certain activities or tasks.

It is common to feel isolated and that other people do not understand. Normal activities such as going to work or school, your self-care, and getting out of bed in the morning may be difficult and exhausting for some people. You may feel a loss of self-reliance, self-confidence, or self-esteem.