The Little-Known Sign of Anxiety That Makes the World Look Like a Snow Globe

WE all know the characteristic symptoms of anxiety.

From nervousness to sweating to an inability to concentrate, chances are you’ve experienced it before.

But there’s a lesser-known sign linked to a rare disease that makes the world you see seem oddly like a snow globe.

Snow Visual Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that scientists first recognized in 1995.

Most people experience this by always seeing tiny snow-like spots in their vision, as if the world in front of them was an old, poorly tuned television or even a snow globe.

The dots are usually black and white, although they can sometimes be colored or transparent.

This condition, with no known cause, can be debilitating for some, affecting their ability to work and complete school, as it can make it more difficult to concentrate.

Some scientists believe the disorder affects a part of the brain near the occipital lobe, responsible for vision and perception.

It has also been associated with anxiety.

A 2014 study of 125 people with visual snow syndrome were more likely to experience anxiety, depression, poor sleep quality and fatigue.

A US scientist has also discovered stronger bonds in people with dissociative disorders such as depersonalization disorder, which the NHS says leaves sufferers feeling disconnected from themselves and the world around them.

Doctors still don’t know how to treat visual snow syndrome.

In some cases, antiepileptic medications and antidepressants have helped reduce symptoms.

Anxiety, on the other hand, can be treated.

The condition, which affects around 8 million Britons, causes feelings of unease, such as worry or fear, which can be mild or severe.

It is often the main symptom of other conditions, such as agoraphobia or claustrophobia, panic disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, has been shown to be effective for some people.

However, medications such as a type of antidepressant called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can also reduce symptoms.

Other Common Symptoms of Anxiety

According to the Mayo Clinic, typical signs and symptoms of anxiety include:

• Feeling nervous, agitated, or tense
• Feeling like something bad is about to happen
• Increased heart rate
• Breathe quickly
• Sweat
• Trembling
• Feeling weak
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking about anything other than the current worry
• Having trouble sleeping
• You are experiencing gastrointestinal problems
• Having trouble controlling your worries
• Having the need to avoid things that trigger anxiety