Psychosomatic Study of 60 Patients with Vertigo

Abstract

The authors examined 60 consecutive patients hospitalized in Modena University Otorhinolaryngological Clinic for vertigo by means of an interview and of three self-rating scales (Zung’s SDS, SAS and the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire). The control group was composed of an equal number of patients hospitalized in the same ward and period for different nonsurgical otiatric diseases; the two groups were matched for age, sex, residential area, sociocultural conditions, duration of hospitalization and disease. According to the clinical diagnosis carried out when discharged from hospital, the patients where divided into five groups (Ménière’s disease, neuronitis, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, neurosensorial deafness, nucleoreticular syndrome of Ararslan). The data regarding depression (MHQ and SDS), anxiety (MHQ and SAS), neuroticism, somatization (MHQ) and the prevailing of hysterical personality traits in women (MHQ) resulted particularly relevant from a statistical viewpoint (p < 0.01).

Psychological Distress and Meniere's Disease: A Bidirectional Two‐Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

“…By contrast, some research found that the heightened anxiety in MD results from vertigo symptoms. 46 After comparing the anxiety levels in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, MD, unilateral weakness, and central vertigo, no significant difference was found between the 4 groups. 47 These studies still have limitations in that they only indicate associations between anxiety, depression, and MD, but no causal relationships were established.…”

“…These studies imply that the depression and anxiety experienced by MD patients might also be influenced by other forms of psychological distress. By contrast, some research found that the heightened anxiety in MD results from vertigo symptoms 46 . After comparing the anxiety levels in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, MD, unilateral weakness, and central vertigo, no significant difference was found between the 4 groups 47 .…”

Correlates of Vertigo Attacks in Ménière’s Disease

“…Whereas the symptoms of Ménière’s disease (e.g., vestibular problems) have been associated with an increased incidence of psychological problems [15, 16, 17], i.e., a somatopsychic effect, there is no unequivocal support for the psychosomatic hypothesis [12]. Most likely, once the disease has appeared, psychological and somatic factors interact [5, 6, 18], which is in line with a more modern view of psychosomatic disorders.…”