Eye Twitching Anxiety: Can Anxiety Cause Eye Twitching?

Written by: Arooj Paulus – B. Sc (Applied Psychology)

Last updated date : February 14, 2023

People commonly feel some stress in their daily life. Anxiety is a reaction to stressful life situations. It can cause body or mental tension in stressed people. Physical signs of stress are as
  • Increase heartbeat
  • Rapid breathing
  • Sweating
  • Shaking
  • Headache
  • Body pains
  • Trouble in sleeping
  • Gastrointestinal problems

Mental signs of stress are

  • Increased worrying
  • Racing thoughts
  • Trouble in concentration
  • Want to control worry or worrying situations

Eye twitching is one of the physical sign of anxiety.


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Chapter 1:

Anxiety and Eye Twitching

Twitching happens when a muscle tissue or tissues move without your control. This means without conscious effort of a person. It may feel like a vibrating movement of a muscle or group of muscles. Muscle twitching last for few seconds up to few minutes. It can occur in any muscle of the body.

Stress that causes twitching usually affects the muscles of the eye. As a result, if you are experience stress than you may have muscle twitching, including eye twitching. In contrast, feeling of eye related twitching and anxiety is common among people going through frequent stress. Even though, muscle twitches are rarely a sign of anything severe. It eventually goes away on its own.

However, consult a doctor

  • If you have other signs of stress.
  • If eye twitching lasts more than two weeks

Eye twitching effects other body functions such as sleep. Muscle twitching is more common when a person is unable to sleep. It stops while you are sleeping. Researches show that eye twitching is common among those who are under a lot of stress. It has been observed that twitching decreases as anxiety is reduced.

Chapter 2:

Causes of Eye Twitching Anxiety

Chemicals in brain carry messages from the brain to the rest of the body. These chemicals are in charge of a wide range of body and mental functions. Stress boosts the activity of these brain chemicals. It effects the release of these chemicals in the brain. As a result, exchange of messages between brain cells (neurons) and body muscles disrupts. For instance, if you feel more stressed you have high brain activity. As a result, worry might result in eye twitching. It explains that anxiety can cause eye twitching.

Chapter 3:

Causes of Eye Twitching Anxiety

Chemicals in brain carry messages from the brain to the rest of the body. These chemicals are in charge of a wide range of body and mental functions. Stress boosts the activity of these brain chemicals. It effects the release of these chemicals in the brain. As a result, exchange of messages between brain cells (neurons) and body muscles disrupts. For instance if you feel more stressed you have high brain activity. As a result, worry might result in eye twitching. It explains that anxiety can cause eye twitching.

Chapter 4:

Diagnosis and Treatment

If your eye twitching continues throughout for longer time then get treatment from a doctor or a psychologist. They will handle your nervous thoughts and symptoms. You can ask regarding signs and symptoms, the development of symptoms, and other details related to anxiety during a medical checkup. Considering eye twitching as a symptom of stress, tell your doctor if you are having trouble sleeping. Further medical testing is helpful for the purpose of evaluating relative bodily functions with accompanying eye twitching anxiety and managing it. Medical tests include
  • Blood tests to look for electrolytes, hormones, or thyroid functioning.
  • Electromyogram (EMG) is also helps to look for muscle functioning.

For the treatment of eye twitching treat mental stress first. It is best to treat anxious thinking styles first as it is causing problems. Mental health professional help people to cope with their anxiety and related issues to it. A mental health professional views anxiety in detail. They aid stressed people in deciding on the suitable treatment option.

Treatment for anxiety involve

  • Psychotherapy includes cognitive behavioral therapy. It focuses on changing maladaptive thought processes into adaptive ones. It aids people in being able to think more clearly and positively. As a result they help to cope with anxiety.
  • Further medication may help to reduce anxiety in severe cases by increasing release of serotonin. It is a brain chemical that helps regulate mood.

Chapter 5:

Tips for Preventing Eye Twitching Anxiety

The major cause of eye twitching anxiety is stress. Stress is responsible for worried thinking styles. These thinking styles cause anxiety in the long run. Hence anxiety should be decreased first as to avoid eye twitching. Here are some of the preventive measures for eye twitching anxiety.
Maintain a Balanced Diet
If you are stressed you should eat a balanced diet which contain minerals, proteins and vitamins. Consumption of needed amount of minerals and vitamins makes immune system strong and muscles healthy. Strong muscles are less prone to fatigue or twitching. A diet that reduces stress can also be useful. For instance tomatoes are helpful in reducing stress levels.
Stay Hydrated
Researches suggest to drink 2 to 3 liters of water daily. As well as drink plenty of other liquids in order to stay hydrated. Surplus water consumption helps to reduce levels of stress. It also helps to maintain mental well being.
Get Sufficient Sleep

You should get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise can help you relax and tone your muscles. They are less likely to twitch as a result.

Avoid Too Much Coffee
If you are stressed you should avoid or reduce intake of caffeine containing drinks. Caffeine use makes eye twitching anxiety worse. It raises the body activity and energy level. It also has an adverse impact on sleep. Hence it gives rise to levels of stress. It is a risk factor for eye twitching.
Stay Away From Drugs and Alcohol
If you are stressed you should strictly stay away from use of drugs or alcohol. They have an influence on brain function and muscle coordination when consumed. Thus disrupt body functions.
Management Your Time

If you are stressed you are either working more than required or miss out your work. Anxiety can also be caused by poor time management and failure to meet important deadlines. Hence organise your work with time, use a planner for assigned tasks, and set long and short term goals for yourself.

Relax

if you are stressed then practice deep breathing, guided imagery, muscular relaxation technique, meditation, or any other calming activity can help you to relax. These stress relieving activities may be done at home with the guidance of a therapist. It will help to reduce your stress and anxiety levels. Thus helps in reducing and preventing eye twitching anxiety.

Recognize Your Feelings
If you are stressed you may often feel difficulty in regulation of your emotions. Emotions need to be heard. So pay attention to your feelings and do not suppress them. Try to listen to your inner self and take note of what you say to yourself.
Do Not Pay Attention to Eye Twitching
Above all, ignore the twitching of your eyes. You are giving more attention to twitching by noticing it. This can increase the twitching and stress as well. The more you stress about it, the more twitching you’ll experience. In turn this will release your stress levels and muscle twitching.
The Bottom Line
Anxiety which is the cause of eye twitching  can be managed and reduced with the help of medicine, counselling, and professional treatment. If you are having trouble in sleeping, worry, have racing thoughts or have twitching eyelids, then talk to your doctor or a psychologist. Find out more about anxiety related information and how to manage it, on Epsychonline courses Further read for more information on stress.  

"Quick online learning, thanks!" Susan

92 sections

6-Weeks Self-Paced

  • Educational Content
  • Quizzes
  • Self-reflection material
  • Suggestions & feedback
  • Worksheet, tips & tools to use

$9.00 $12.00

25% discount