Psychological Comparison of Adults with Dizziness: Depression, Anxiety, and Somatization in Typical vs. Abnormal Vestibular Test Results

Introduction: The association between vestibular deficits and psychological symptoms remains controversial. Thus, this paper aims to report the psychological state of patients complaining of dizziness according to whether their symptoms are observed or not. Methods: Sixty patients with dizziness symptoms were included in the study. Videonystagmography, video head impulse test, and vestibulospinal tests were applied to all patients. 30 dizzy patients with positive findings were included in Group I, and 30 dizzy patients with typical results from all tests were included in Group II. All individuals were asked to fill out the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, and Somatization subscale of the Symptom Checklist, and the findings were compared between the two groups. The relationship between BDI, BAI, and SOM results and vHIT and DHI scores in all individuals was examined. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding depression, anxiety, and somatization. The level of disability due to dizziness was significantly higher in group II compared to group I. A significant correlation was found between DHI scores and depression and anxiety scores in all patients. Similar psychogenic effects were observed between the groups. However, individuals with dizziness who had regular vestibular tests had a higher level of disability due to dizziness. Conclusion: Evaluation of psychogenic affect and disability due to dizziness by questionnaires in dizzy individuals with regular vestibular tests can be a guide in performing advanced vestibular examinations or directing the patient to a comprehensive psychological evaluation.