Review article

SUPPORTIVE PSYCHOTHERAPY IN TREATMENT OF SOMATIC PATIENTS – CASE REPORT

Ljiljana Kondić ; subspecialist in social psychiatry, SUVAG, Zagreb
Ivana Aras ; SUVAG, Zagreb

Abstract

In spite of otoneurological treatment based on previous standardised diagnostic procedures, in some patients with balance disorders symptoms of dizziness and vertigo persist, causing difficulties in normal functioning that are hard to explain and quite challenging
to treat. In addition to balance disorders, different psychological conditions connected to physical symptoms can be observed. In this situation, other tests and diagnostic procedures should be used to establish the emotional condition of the patient. This case report presents a female patient addressed to psychiatric office by otorhinolaryngologist, after a thorough vestibular and neurological examination, because of unusual persistence of vertiginous symptoms that could not be explained by otoneurological reasons. On the other hand, anamnestic data obtained by psychiatrist revealed that some difficulties come from early childhood (fear of her own mother, inability to confront her), and later youth period (tendency to fantasy as a solution for embarrassing situations). The importance of supportive therapy is emphasized in the discussion part of the article, as well as the relationship between patient and therapist, described previously in the literature. We conclude that this case is an obvious example of the connection between balance disorder and
psychological condition where psychological reaction sustains balance disorder and in a way prevents expected central neural mechanisms to compensate for vestibular damage (vestibular reaction to rotation was still pathological and asymmetric after six months, that is unusual in othervise healthy person).

Keywords

vertigo; psychotherapy; support; depresivnost

Hrčak ID:

177389

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/177389

Publication date:

13.6.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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