Living with PPPD: When the World Won’t Stop Moving
Ever feel dizzy, off-balance, or like you're floating, even though your tests come back normal?
That might be Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness aka PPPD, a real, frustrating, and often misunderstood condition that affects the way your brain processes balance and motion.
If that sounds like you, you’re not “making it up.” And you’re definitely not alone.
So… What Is PPPD?
PPPD is a functional neurological disorder where the brain gets stuck in "alert" mode, misfiring balance signals even when you're not in danger.
Symptoms include:
Feeling like you're swaying, bobbing, or floating
Unsteadiness that worsens with standing, movement, or busy environments (like grocery stores)
Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally foggy
Symptoms that get worse with stress or fatigue
Unlike vertigo or inner ear disorders, PPPD doesn’t show up on scans, but it’s very real and recognized by neurologists, ENT specialists, and mental health professionals alike.
The Hardware Analogy: You're Not Broken
Think of your brain like a hard drive. After a virus (like a vestibular injury or major stressor), your system tries to protect you…but ends up glitching.
PPPD is not in your head, it’s in how your brain is functioning. It's a software issue, not a hardware one. That means your body isn’t broken. It just needs a reset.
And therapy can help you do just that.
How Therapy Supports PPPD Recovery
Living with PPPD is scary. It can trigger anxiety, panic, avoidance, and shame. You might start questioning your body and your mind.
At Balens Therapy, we work with clients across Ontario, navigating PPPD and other functional disorders using:
🧠 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to reduce fear and avoidance
🌀 Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) to build resilience and flexibility
🫶🏽 Validation and psychoeducation so you don’t feel gaslit by your own symptoms
Therapy doesn’t “fix” you, because you’re not broken. It helps your brain and body learn safety again.
You Deserve to Feel Grounded Again
You’re not overreacting. You’re not imagining it. You’re coping with a brain that’s been in survival mode for too long…and you can heal.
Let’s get you the support you deserve.
🌱 Book a free 20-minute consultation today at
👉🏽 www.balenstherapy.janeapp.com
