Psychiatric comorbidity in patients with dizziness

Abstract

We report herein on psychiatric comorbidity in patients with dizziness in a psychiatric hospital with an otolaryngologist. Psychiatric comorbidity was revealed in 270 (68.9) of 392 patients with dizziness. Of 270 patients with dizziness and psychiatric comorbidity, anxiety disorders were revealed in 149 (55.2), mood disorders in 36 (13.3), somatoform disorders in 5 (1.9) and adjustment disorders or post-traumatic stress disorder in 15 (5.5) but in addition organic mental disorders were also seen in 21 (7.8) and schizophrenia in 15 (5.6). Phobic postural vertigo was diagnosed in 30 (7.7). These patients were not only treated by otolaryngologists, but also received psychiatric therapy or were prescribed psychotropic drugs. We believe that cooperation between psychiatrists and otolaryngologists in hospitals or regions can improve the mental condition and quality of life in patients suffering from dizziness with psychiatric comorbidity.