"Anxiety and 8 Other Symptoms May Signal an 'Acoustic' Brain Tumor, Doctors Warn"

MANY people experience anxiety at some point in their lives.

Typically, it is a temporary condition triggered by situations at work, school, or personal matters.

Anxiety and vertigo can both be indicators of an ‘acoustic’ brain tumor. Acoustic neuromas develop on the nerve responsible for hearing and balance.

Recent research indicates that if anxiety is accompanied by dizziness, it may indicate an ‘acoustic’ brain tumor.

These tumors, known scientifically as acoustic neuromas or vestibular schwannomas (VS), are non-cancerous.

While they do not metastasize, they can still pose serious risks since they grow on the nerve that governs hearing and balance.

Over time, this can lead to hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and balance issues.

One of the most prevalent and disruptive symptoms is vertigo, which creates the sensation that the surroundings are spinning.

Vertigo impacts some VS patients more severely than others, and anxiety may exacerbate these symptoms, according to a new study published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery .

The research involved experts from the U.S. who examined 109 adults diagnosed with untreated VS between 2004 and 2025.

Each participant completed questionnaires assessing levels of dizziness and anxiety. The researchers also reviewed their medical histories for any signs of anxiety.

The study found that individuals with a history of anxiety reported more intense dizziness, scoring higher on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, which evaluates how dizziness impacts daily activities.

For each additional point on the anxiety scale, dizziness scores increased by 2.6 points.

Study author Tyler Wilson from Washington University stated to the Daily Mail: “Psychological distress has been shown to affect vertigo in patients with conditions impacting the vestibular system.

“Although previous studies have identified a link between vertigo and anxiety disorders, no research has specifically explored the role of anxiety in VS.

“This gap opens the door for alternative interventions for VS, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction.”

Treatment for the tumor depends on its size and growth rate.

Many cases are initially monitored with scans.

Surgery is considered if the tumor grows, sometimes followed by radiosurgery to prevent remaining tissue from spreading.

In the UK, over 12,000 individuals are diagnosed with brain tumors annually, about half of which are cancerous.

VS typically affects adults between the ages of 30 and 60. Most cases arise without a clear cause, although a few are associated with a genetic condition known as Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2).

Approximately 1 in 20 patients may experience a recurrence after surgery, and symptoms such as hearing loss and tinnitus may persist.