Psychology in Dizziness, Vertigo and Unsteadiness

Why see a psychologist for a balance problem

Experiences of dizziness, vertigo or unsteadiness can have a major impact on perceived safety, mobility and daily life. Stopping driving, avoiding the supermarket, limiting certain movements or always going out accompanied are not minor details: they are changes that can significantly restrict the life of the person experiencing them.

When fear, anticipation, bodily hypervigilance, concern about physical sensations or avoidance of certain situations appear, these factors can contribute to maintaining functional limitation.

What this work is not

Psychological work does not aim to attribute dizziness or vertigo to anxiety, nor does it assume that the symptom has a psychological origin.

It is about understanding how physical symptoms, body perception, emotions and coping behaviours can interact, in coordination with vestibular and medical evaluation whenever necessary.

How we approach it

We start from an individualised assessment, using the same approach as in the rest of the Psychology department: first understanding what is happening and then intervening on those factors where we can make changes.

We explore when the sensations appear or increase, in which situations this occurs, how you interpret them, how you respond when they appear —for example, sitting down, holding onto something, leaving the room, avoiding certain movements or ensuring someone accompanies you— and what happens afterwards.

This functional analysis allows us to understand how symptoms relate to our interpretation of sensations, the attention focused on the body, fear or worry responses, and the behaviours put in place to try to feel safe.

From there, we agree on goals with you and work on the factors contributing to maintaining the limitation: avoidance of situations, safety behaviours, bodily hypervigilance and specific ways of coping with the sensations.

The goal is not only to reduce discomfort, but to progressively regain activities, movements, independence and spaces that are important to you, restoring and expanding your daily life.

Psychological assessment from the outset

A psychological assessment can form part of the initial evaluation of a person with dizziness, vertigo or unsteadiness.

Not everyone needs psychological intervention. However, when there is fear, anticipation, avoidance, hypervigilance, safety behaviours or a major impact on daily life, assessing these factors from the start can be helpful.

Vestibular assessment and psychological assessment can be carried out in a coordinated manner from the outset, depending on the characteristics and needs of each case.

Alongside the Vestibular Unit

The psychological approach does not replace medical balance testing: it complements it.

In the same centre, vestibular assessment, Otoneurology studies, vestibular tests, vestibular rehabilitation and the psychological approach when indicated are integrated, in addition to the treatment of positional vertigo or Ménière's disease.

The aim is to work in a coordinated manner to understand both the aspects related to vestibular function and how the symptoms are affecting behaviour, independence and daily life. If you have not yet been seen by anyone for your dizziness, you can start with the Vestibular Unit.

Specialised psychology in dizziness and vertigo

The psychological approach is carried out by a specialised health psychologist in the psychological assessment and intervention for people with dizziness, vertigo and unsteadiness.

When a psychological assessment may be helpful

Assessing these factors from the start can be helpful when dizziness causes fear of recurrence, anticipation, hypervigilance, avoidance of activities or the need to use certain behaviours to feel safe.

It can also be particularly relevant when, even if the vestibular study has already been performed, daily life remains restricted and there are activities, movements or situations you have not yet been able to resume.

Book an appointment with our Psychology team.