'I'm not a doctor'. Deconstructing accounts of coping, causes and control of dizziness
'I'm not a doctor'. Deconstructing accounts of coping, causes and control of dizziness
This article deconstructs accounts of coping with dizziness and causes of dizziness, using content analysis of interviews with 37 sufferers. Interviewees claimed that they were determined to cope, but were unable to master their illness. They reported attempting to conceal their problem and cope independently, but also admitted to relying on help from others. Most interviewees denied having any idea of what might cause dizziness, but nevertheless suggested several causes. These partly contradictory discourses arise in a context where people with chronic illness must simultaneously demonstrate that they are physically ill but socially responsible. Hence they are prompted to adopt the sanctioned role of a passive patient, rather than engaging actively in the interpretation and management of their symptoms.
Attributions, Deconstruction, Dizziness, Illness perceptions, Vertigo
313-327
Yardley, Lucy
64be42c4-511d-484d-abaa-f8813452a22e
Beech, Sandra
9fee60fd-8648-415f-9600-fe63526a252e
1 January 1998
Yardley, Lucy
64be42c4-511d-484d-abaa-f8813452a22e
Beech, Sandra
9fee60fd-8648-415f-9600-fe63526a252e
Yardley, Lucy and Beech, Sandra
(1998)
'I'm not a doctor'. Deconstructing accounts of coping, causes and control of dizziness.
Journal of Health Psychology, 3 (3), .
(doi:10.1177/135910539800300303).
Abstract
This article deconstructs accounts of coping with dizziness and causes of dizziness, using content analysis of interviews with 37 sufferers. Interviewees claimed that they were determined to cope, but were unable to master their illness. They reported attempting to conceal their problem and cope independently, but also admitted to relying on help from others. Most interviewees denied having any idea of what might cause dizziness, but nevertheless suggested several causes. These partly contradictory discourses arise in a context where people with chronic illness must simultaneously demonstrate that they are physically ill but socially responsible. Hence they are prompted to adopt the sanctioned role of a passive patient, rather than engaging actively in the interpretation and management of their symptoms.
This record has no associated files available for download.
More information
Published date: 1 January 1998
Keywords:
Attributions, Deconstruction, Dizziness, Illness perceptions, Vertigo
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 509314
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/509314
ISSN: 1359-1053
PURE UUID: 8d1a38d2-5a84-4eb5-96d7-ee2cbc7e2fae
Catalogue record
Date deposited: 18 Feb 2026 17:41
Last modified: 19 Feb 2026 02:35
Export record
Altmetrics
Contributors
Author:
Sandra Beech
Download statistics
Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.
View more statistics
