[Somatoform vertigo syndromes]

About 30 % of patients presenting to general practitioners complain of episodic or chronic vertigo or dizziness symptoms mostly with substantial impact on their daily living and activities. 30 to 50 % of the dizziness disorders are organically not sufficiently explained and are caused by mental or psychosomatic diseases. Somatoform dizziness syndromes can occur without a preceding vestibular disorder (e. g., primary somatoform dizziness) or they can develop in consequence of an organic vestibular disorder (secondary somatoform dizziness). However, it often takes months or even years until the correct diagnosis is made and an appropriate psychosomatic therapy can be initiated. Therefore, it is essential for the course of the disease that at an early stage not only careful interdisciplinary organic but also psychosomatic diagnostics are applied.