Psychological profile and personal traits in patients with vestibular dysfunction

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the psychological profile and personality traits of patients with vestibular dysfunction (VD).Materials and Methods: A total of 452 participants, 225 patients with VD and 227 control subjects who had no complaints of VD, were included in the study. Otorhinolaryngologic examination and vestibular assessment were performed. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) was completed by the patients to determine the handicap and the severity caused by dizziness. The psychological aspects of the patients were assessed using the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised Abbreviated form (EPQR-A), Type D personality scale (DS-14), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Results: Of the 452 participants, 157 (69.8%) were female and 68 (30.2%) were male, while, of the control subjects, 133 (58.6%) were female and 94 (41.4%) were male. It was found that 81 (36%) patients and 42 (18.2%) control subjects had received psychiatric treatment. The EPQR-A neuroticism subscale and the anxiety and depression subscale of the HADS were statistically significantly higher in the patients. The negative emotions and social suppression subscales of the DS-14 were statistically significantly higher in the patients.Conclusion: This study revealed that neurotic personality traits and type D personality were higher in patients with VD. Thus, we believe that the psychological profile and personality traits of patients complaining of vestibular diseases are important in diagnosis and treatment.