Psychosomatic aspects of patients complaining of dizziness or vertigo with orthostatic dysregulation

Eighty-five patients (26 males and 59 females) with orthostatic dysregulation who visited our clinic complaining of dizziness or vertigo between December, 1990 and August, 1996 were analyzed using the Japanese Edition Cornell Medical Index-Health Questionnaire and the Yatabe-Guilford Personality Test. The condition of OD was most commonly noted in 29 patients (34.1%) with dizziness or vertigo of indeterminate etiology, followed by in 14 (16.5%) with Meniereʹs disease, in ten (11.8%) with hypotension and CNS disorder each, and in 22 (25.9%) with other disorders. The percentage classed as Type III (possible neurotic) or Type IV (probable neurotic), was 46.1% in males and 47.4% in females. The percentage classed as Type B or Type E, suggestive of emotional or psychological disturbance, was 38.5% in males and 37.3% in females. There was good correlation between the Japanese Edition Cornell Medical Index-Health Questionnaire and the Yatabe-Guilford Personality Test results as to psychosomatic aspects. We conclude that, in the treatment of patients with orthostatic dysregulation, it is necessary to consider both physical and psychological aspects of the condition.