ABSTRACT
Published data by Yardley et al.1 found that over 20% of patients of working age had sought medical attention for symptoms of dizziness. Of these, almost half had reported anxiety or avoidance
18 Contents Introduction 145 Anxiety disorders 146
Signs and symptoms of anxiety 146 Specific anxiety disorders of importance 146
Panic disorder 146 Generalised anxiety disorder 146 Agoraphobia 147 Social phobias 147 Somatoform disorders 147 Somatisation disorder 147 Somatoform autonomic dysfunction 147 Depersonalisation-derealisation syndrome 147
Mood [affective] disorders 148 Depressive episode 148 Assessment of anxiety 148 Hospital anxiety and depression scale 148 Assessment of depression 148 Management of anxiety in patients with dizziness 149 Medical management of anxiety 149 Psychological management 149 Cognitive behavioural therapy 149
Case study 150 Conclusion 151 References 151
behaviour. Other studies have recorded even greater rates of psychiatric pathology when symptoms of depression are also included.2,3,4,5
Whilst a balance disorder may result in the onset of psychological symptoms, a psychological disorder may also be unmasked or accentuated by a dizzy condition. Certain personality types and a previous psychiatric or psychological history may make a patient more susceptible to developing psychological symptoms, for example, anxiety and avoidant personality. This personality disorder is characterised by feelings of tension and apprehension, insecurity and inferiority.
