Overview of psychologic effects of chronic dizziness and balance disorders
Overview of psychologic effects of chronic dizziness and balance disorders
By the time people afflicted with dizziness or imbalance come to see a physician, many appear overanxious, even if they were previously confident, competent individuals. The purpose of this article has been to explain why dizziness so often leads to apprehensive, self-defeating thinking and behavior, which in turn perpetuates the dizziness. The state of fearful uncertainty and passive dependence in which many dizzy people find themselves trapped can be prevented in many cases by supplying convincing explanations for their symptoms. Comprehensible information about how the balance system functions, and the process of adaptation following balance disorder, reduces anxiety by helping patients to understand the causes, significance, and control of their various symptoms. It also provides the rationale for a paced resumption of activity, and so enables patients to become well-informed partners in the management of their recovery (with or without formal rehabilitation).
603-616
Yardley, L.
64be42c4-511d-484d-abaa-f8813452a22e
1 January 2000
Yardley, L.
64be42c4-511d-484d-abaa-f8813452a22e
Yardley, L.
(2000)
Overview of psychologic effects of chronic dizziness and balance disorders.
Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America, 33 (3), .
(doi:10.1016/S0030-6665(05)70229-2).
Abstract
By the time people afflicted with dizziness or imbalance come to see a physician, many appear overanxious, even if they were previously confident, competent individuals. The purpose of this article has been to explain why dizziness so often leads to apprehensive, self-defeating thinking and behavior, which in turn perpetuates the dizziness. The state of fearful uncertainty and passive dependence in which many dizzy people find themselves trapped can be prevented in many cases by supplying convincing explanations for their symptoms. Comprehensible information about how the balance system functions, and the process of adaptation following balance disorder, reduces anxiety by helping patients to understand the causes, significance, and control of their various symptoms. It also provides the rationale for a paced resumption of activity, and so enables patients to become well-informed partners in the management of their recovery (with or without formal rehabilitation).
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Published date: 1 January 2000
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Local EPrints ID: 509371
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/509371
ISSN: 0030-6665
PURE UUID: 190fad41-2b02-4193-a412-5779f4904166
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Date deposited: 19 Feb 2026 17:50
Last modified: 20 Feb 2026 02:36
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