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Somatoform Vertigo and Dizziness Syndromes

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Vertigo and Dizziness

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Abstract

These syndromes account for a large proportion of complex forms of dizziness, imbalance, and fear of falling.

Phobic postural vertigo is an important and the most frequent form of somatoform vertigo/dizziness. The patients complain of postural dizziness and subjective stance and gait unsteadiness without this being evident to an observer; moreover, their results in neuro-otological tests are normal. Anxious control of postural balance is causative and accompanied by co-contraction of antigravity muscles. Therapy is based on psychoeducational explanation and behavioral therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Neurosciences and Center for Vertigo & Balance Disorders, University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Thomas Brandt MD, FRCP

  2. Department of Neurology and Center for Vertigo & Balance Disorders, University of Munich, Munich, Germany

    Marianne Dieterich MD & Michael Strupp MD

Authors
  1. Thomas Brandt MD, FRCP
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  2. Marianne Dieterich MD
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  3. Michael Strupp MD
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Brandt, T., Dieterich, M., Strupp, M. (2013). Somatoform Vertigo and Dizziness Syndromes. In: Vertigo and Dizziness. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-591-0_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-591-0_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-85729-590-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-85729-591-0

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