Can high altitude cause anxiety?

[steamorange]

Moved to a HA country, just curious?

I would think moving to a new country is more likely the cause, rather than the altitude. Which country have you moved to?

I moved to a new country years ago and had to deal with severe anxiety the first year. It happened to most of the expatriates I've met here and it's normal. There are a lot of changes and issues to deal with. Altitude shouldn't affect you emotionally, just physically. High altitude can cause low oxygen saturation but unless you live at an altitude of 2000 or 3000+ meters above sea level I don't think it should be affecting you.

@Antares444 yep, I'm 3000metres up! So that makes sense. Is it anxiety due to the move or the altitude for you?

Definitely a mix of both but I bet the altitude is the biggest reason, that's quite high! You will need some time to adapt to that altitude. It happened to an acquaintance of mine that moved to Bolivia and was sick for a month, then he got better. I don't know about the reasons for your move or if there was a cultural shock but for me, it was pretty stressful and I had a lot of nervous issues for months.

@Antares444 makes complete sense now! I've honestly never had worse and irrational mental health in my life, it's actually quite bizarre. I would have thought I'd be over it by now but we've never been here longer more than 3 weeks as we have to travel a ton. I'm so glad it's not just me, that's such a relief as DP is breezing through it no bother.

Try not to worry too much and focus on other things. Your body will get used to it, and your mind too. I sometimes go hiking but not more than 2000 m and even at only 2000, I feel so drunk and weird! I can't imagine being at 3000 all the time.
Altitude affects your feelings too, people that go to the Himalayas have this temporal craziness, I've read about it in several books. That's why they need to stay 1 month at Everest base camp before starting the climb. Some described it as a mix of drunkness, depression, and hopelessness. My mom faints if she goes higher than 1000 m and has crying fits, so, totally normal.

@Antares444 really appreciate your comment! I thought maybe I was being hyper sensitive and using it as a cope but I think I should definitely do more research - because the drunk thing I relate to, sometimes I can't string a sentence together and definitely more out of it than usual!