Question:

I have had a very strange (anxiety related?) visual symptom for almost a year now.  It all occurred after a very stressful life event that resulted in heightened my general level of anxiety a great deal, and for a long period of time.  I’ve had an "anxiety disorder" for many, many years, but this new symptom is more odd than any other anxiety symptom I’ve ever experienced. Basically, for the past year or so I *occasionally* (not all the time) have what I can best describe as a sensation of changes in my perception of light.  For instance, if I am in a room with low lighting, sometimes the light will seem to "dim" or "fade" even more, starting at the peripheral vision…..it is exactly as if someone were turning down a reostat or dimmer switch – it happens sort of slowly and at an irregular rate.  I don’t "black out" and I can still see fine, and it recovers in seconds…..it’s just a somewhat mild (but noticeable!) change in the light levels.  I don’t have to be experiencing anxiety for this to happen, either.  And, like I said, it doesn’t happen all the time.  I have also had some "classic" ocular migraine visual symptoms for quite a long time, too, that have really subsided as of late….but this one symptom remains. I have been examined by THREE opthamologists, and have had other tests run as well.  They all say my vision is fine.  the only place I have encountered a similar description of what I’ve experienced was on a website discussing "depersonalization", which often accompanies anxiety disorder.  I can only think that this is related.  Anyone ever heard of anything like this before?  Weird, I know, but I’ve been thoroughly checked out by the best medical personnel and I’m just fine otherwise.  A mystery, huh?

Response:

Ah no this is not a mystery although it has always been to me until I read your post. I HAVE the same stuff.  Now I haven’t had my eyes checked in over a year but this has been going on for a long time. Changes in my perception of light.  Even in good lighting my vision will dim and seem almost I don’t know gray. It is very freaky and weird and I have never mentioned it to another person because I thought maybe it was just something that I had. I might agree with the depersonalization theory because I do feel rather "out there when it happens" but I always thought it was because the lighting kept getting so whacko on me. WOW I am glad to hear that someone else has this strange anamoly too.  (sorry I shouldn’t wish that on anyone)  Just nice not to be alone. Weird stuff. Becky "I have seen the sea when it is stormy and wild; when it is quiet and serene; when it is dark and moody. And in all its moods, I see myself."      -Martin Buxbaum

Response:

    Margrove has a very good point.  : )  I’ve recently developed having difficulty swallowing food.  This was very strange to me and the more I thought about it, the worse my problem became.  However, after a few calming meds, and getting more rest, I realized that the more you think about it, the more it will happen.  My eating seems to be getting a lot better now. The problem comes with trying to forget about it or to "not think" about it. Then, you start to obsess about that, and it starts all over again.  Mind over matter.  Of course I understand that comes easier to some than to others.  I thank this group dearly for the support and information they’ve given me in the last month or so.  Stick around, my problems became less! : )  Take care. Matt

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had a very strange (anxiety related?) visual symptom for almost a year now.  It all occurred after a very stressful life event that resulted in heightened my general level of anxiety a great deal, and for a long period of time.  I’ve had an "anxiety disorder" for many, many years, but this new symptom is more odd than any other anxiety symptom I’ve ever experienced. Basically, for the past year or so I *occasionally* (not all the time) have what I can best describe as a sensation of changes in my perception of light.  For instance, if I am in a room with low lighting, sometimes the light will seem to "dim" or "fade" even more, starting at the peripheral vision…..it is exactly as if someone were turning down a reostat or dimmer switch – it happens sort of slowly and at an irregular rate.  I don’t "black out" and I can still see fine, and it recovers in seconds…..it’s just a somewhat mild (but noticeable!) change in the light levels.  I don’t have to be experiencing anxiety for this to happen, either.  And, like I said, it doesn’t happen all the time.  I have also had some "classic" ocular migraine visual symptoms for quite a long time, too, that have really subsided as of late….but this one symptom remains. I have been examined by THREE opthamologists, and have had other tests run as well.  They all say my vision is fine.  the only place I have encountered a similar description of what I’ve experienced was on a website discussing "depersonalization", which often accompanies anxiety disorder.  I can only think that this is related.  Anyone ever heard of anything like this before?  Weird, I know, but I’ve been thoroughly checked out by the best medical personnel and I’m just fine otherwise.  A mystery, huh?

Response: