NeuroHealth Services Indianapolis
  • Conditions We See
    • Concussion and Post-Concussion Syndrome
    • Vestibular Dysfunction
    • Neurobehavioral Disorders
    • Migraines
    • Dystonia
    • Long Haul COVID
    • Dysautonomia
    • Other Conditions
  • Our Approach
    • Free Consultation
    • Discovery Day
    • NeuroReset Program
    • Services
    • Diagnostics
    • Treatment Tools
    • Our Doctors
    • NeuroHealth FAQs
    • Become A Patient
    • Referring Providers
  • Client Speak
  • Resources
    • About Us
    • NeuroHealth Blog
    • New Patient Paperwork
  • Schedule an Appointment

Inner Ear and Emotions

7/14/2017

 
​How your inner ear can influence your emotions
We tend to think of our emotions as being strictly tied to our psychology and personality — some people are highly emotional and others are not. But did you know your inner can profoundly affect your emotions? Our inner ear, called the vestibular system, is integrated with the eyes and the brain to tell you where you are in space and is integral to survival, safety, and attention. This system is a labyrinth of the semi-circular positioned in right angles to each other so they can perceive motion in three-dimensional space. You engage your vestibular system when you turn your head, change positions, look one direction while moving in another, balance on one leg, ride a bike, and so on. The vestibular system also plays a role in integrating gravity, acceleration, and deceleration. In summary, the vestibular system works with your eyes and your brain to keep your body stable and aware of where it is in the environment around it. Imagine driving while holding a glass of water and how accelerating, driving at an even speed, stopping, and turning affect the water in the glass. This is somewhat how the vestibular system, which contains fluid and sensory hair cells, works to deliver information to the brain. 
When the vestibular system isn’t working well
Unfortunately, the inner ear can be quite fragile and vulnerable to damage from concussions, micro-traumas to the brain, and whiplash. Many people have vestibular system damage or disorders that they are not aware of. Some hallmarks of vestibular problems include poor balance, dizziness, and being easily prone to motion sickness. When the inner ear canals are damaged, information from the vestibular system does not coordinate properly with information from the eyes and the body. This causes neurological confusion and resulting symptoms. A poorly functioning cerebellum also plays a role in vestibular dysfunction. The cerebellum is the area at the base of the brain — it works closely with the vestibular system and is integral to balance and coordination.

How inner ear problems cause emotional problems
When your vestibular system is damaged, or when there is dysfunctional coordination between the inner ear and the cerebellum, your sense of balance and stability are affected. The body ultimately perceives this as a stressor. Typically, vestibular dysfunction is too subtle for most people to notice. Yet it nevertheless creates a sense of neurological confusion the brain and body perceive as chronically and subtly terrifying, thus putting the survival system on red alert and raising stress hormones. People who have experienced anxiety after being on a roller coaster or from spinning may understand this connection

Emotions are governed by an area of the brain called the limbic system, and extensive networks exist between the vestibular and the limbic system. In fact, it’s not uncommon for people diagnosed with vestibular disorders to report they are not themselves emotionally. 

Rehabilitating the inner ear for healthier emotions
Researchers are able to impact a person’s depression, anxiety, and other emotional states by activating and rehabilitating the vestibular system, lending further weight to the connection between the inner ear and emotions. Fortunately, functional neurology is well grounded in the examination of the vestibular system, identifying dysfunction, and creating customized exercises to help you rehabilitate your vestibular system and brain. This can bring not only relief from physical signs and symptoms, but it can also lower anxiety and relieve emotional symptoms. Ask my office for more information.

Comments are closed.

    NeuroHealth Services
    ​​​

    ​Get back to feeling like yourself naturally. Natural treatment for neural and chronic pain.

    video Testimonials

    Archives

    February 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    August 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017

    Categories

    All
    Brain Health Awareness
    Brain Injury
    Concussion
    Dizziness
    IBS Treatment
    Men’s Health Month

    RSS Feed

Picture

Our Doctors

​Dr. Ralston
Dr. Gafken

Learn More

FAQ
Blog
​Contact Us
9302 N. Meridian Street, Suite 299
Indianapolis, IN 46260

​​
(317) 848-6000
Map | Directions

    SignUp FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to Newsletter
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Conditions We See
    • Concussion and Post-Concussion Syndrome
    • Vestibular Dysfunction
    • Neurobehavioral Disorders
    • Migraines
    • Dystonia
    • Long Haul COVID
    • Dysautonomia
    • Other Conditions
  • Our Approach
    • Free Consultation
    • Discovery Day
    • NeuroReset Program
    • Services
    • Diagnostics
    • Treatment Tools
    • Our Doctors
    • NeuroHealth FAQs
    • Become A Patient
    • Referring Providers
  • Client Speak
  • Resources
    • About Us
    • NeuroHealth Blog
    • New Patient Paperwork
  • Schedule an Appointment