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[Illness-specific control issues in patients with vertigo as the main symptom]
A Eckhardt-Henn1, N Steinhorst, H Krauthauser
1Poliklinik und Klinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
Psychotherapie, Psychosomatik, Medizinische Psychologie
|February 7, 1998
Summary
Patients with dizziness/vertigo often exhibit an external health locus of control. Psychogenic dizziness is linked to higher external control and anxiety, suggesting therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Health Psychology
Context:
- Dizziness and vertigo are common chief complaints requiring comprehensive evaluation.
- Understanding the psychological factors associated with dizziness is crucial for effective management.
- Health locus of control (HLC) and anxiety are potential contributors to the dizziness experience.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between health locus of control and anxiety levels in patients presenting with dizziness or vertigo.
- To differentiate HLC patterns between patients with psychogenic and organic dizziness.
- To explore the association between anxiety scores and specific dimensions of HLC.
Summary:
- A study of 90 dizziness/vertigo patients included neurological and psychiatric assessments.
- All patients displayed a "double health external" HLC pattern.
- Psychogenic dizziness patients had higher external locus of control (chance) and anxiety scores, particularly related to powerful others and chance.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that targeting external locus of control beliefs may be beneficial in managing psychogenic dizziness.
- Highlights the importance of assessing psychological factors, including HLC and anxiety, in patients with dizziness.
- Informs therapeutic strategies by identifying specific HLC dimensions associated with higher anxiety in psychogenic dizziness.