Alexithymia in Patients with Ménière Disease: A Possible Role on Anxiety and Depression.

The aim of this paper was to investigate the role of the psychological variable of alexithymia both as a risk factor for the development of Ménière's disease (MD) and as a component that influences the personal experience of MD and the individual quality of life. We collected data from 179 Italian patients who fulfilled criteria for definite MD. Patients filled out validated self-rating questionnaires to assess alexithymia (TAS-20), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), anxiety and depression (HADS), perception of stress (PSS) and coping strategies (COPE).