Can Anxiety Cause Body Itchiness And Twitching Eyelids?

Posted on Fri, 9 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 9 Jan 2015 Answered on

Sat, 7 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : hey can aniexity make you itchy
also why would above my eye lid feel like it's twitching
also I woke up yesterday day with my eyes being sensitive to light
I've also been stressing alot lately for no reason

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Twitching is common in anxiety disorder

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for asking.

It is not so common to have complaints of itching in anxiety. But severe anxiety may result in increase sympathetic flow. This parasympathetic tone may result in itching.

The twitching in eyelids is a common feature seen in anxiety. Eyes may develop congestion. All these occurs due to increase in parasympathetic tone in brain. These are type of nerve fibres which cause release of some neurotransmitters which cause itching.

Twitching is common association in anxiety. A number of tic disorders are found to be associated with anxiety. Exact psychopathology can't be postulated.

As you are having increased anxiety and stress in such condition I would advise you to visit a psychiatrist for help. SNRI drugs are Duloxetine, Venlafaxine. These drugs will help to reduce anxiety and will improve symptoms of itching.

For severe anxiety and itching medicines like Steroids can help. Consult a doctor for treatment and prescription.

Thanks, hope this helps you. Ask again for more doubts in follow up question.

Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi
MD, Psychiatry

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari