Panic disorder and the vestibular system

Abstract

This article reviews the interrelationship between panic disorder and vestibular function. There is a possibility of both somatopsychic and psychosomatic interactions between panic and the vestibular system. Another possibility is that vestibular dysfunction could be associated with certain mental disorders, including panic disorder, as a nonspecific marker. Somatopsychic interactions are suggested by findings of high prevalence of vestibular dysfunction in selected patients with panic disorder, by the occurrence of "space and motion phobia" in patients with panic disorder, and by the report of anxiety and pseudoagoraphobia in some patients with a primary complaint of vertigo. Psychosomatic influences include symptoms of dizziness and increased sensitivity of the vestibular system due to anxiety or hyperventilation. Vestibular dysfunction as a nonspecific marker is discussed in the context of a review of studies of the vestibular system in schizophrenia. Before more definite conclusions can be drawn whether panic disorder is related to vestibular dysfunction in some cases, further research is needed to establish the specificity of vestibular dysfunction for panic disorder.