title: [Somatoform vertigo: a guide for the general practitioner].
abstract: The symptoms associated with somatoform vertigos take on many forms and often appear to be organic in origin. Only a complete medical history in connection with a clinical neurootological examination and psychiatric/psychosomatic exploration can differentiate between organic (e.g., vestibular) and somatoform vertigos. The patients must be informed about this disorder so that the symptoms are taken seriously. Even though they cannot be ascribed to an organic impairment, the symptoms are still clinically significant. Somatoform vertigo is primarily treated with behavior therapy (if necessary, combined with supportive psychopharmacotherapy). Many patients have good prognosis, particularly when therapy is initiated early.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck.
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Helmchen
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy