A prospective study on the course of anxiety after vestibular neuronitis.

Objective: Critical life events trigger intense emotions. Anxiety is one of the most frequent of these emotions. It is unclear which factors determine the intensity and course of anxiety after a critical life event.

Method: Anxiety levels of 92 patients in the 6 weeks after experiencing an acute vestibular disorder were examined. The influence of cognitive, personality and illness variables on the course of their anxiety was analyzed.

Results: Acute vestibular disorder is accompanied by intensive anxiety. In most patients, anxiety decreased as vertigo regressed. Catastrophizing and dysfunctional cognitions and different personality styles predicted 17.6% of the anxiety 6 weeks after the functional loss of vestibular equilibrium.

Conclusions: Acute vestibular disorder is a critical life event. Most individuals cope successfully with acute vestibular disorder. However, dysfunctional cognitions are risk factors for the persistence of anxiety.