Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: The most frequent cause of chronic dizziness is easy to manage

Abstract

Functional vestibular disorders are one of the most frequent causes of consultation due to vertigo and balance disorders. Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is a recently defined syndrome, categorized as a chronic vestibular syndrome, that in- cludes functional vestibular disorders such as phobic postural vertigo, space-motion discomfort, visual vertigo and chronic subjective dizziness. PPPD manifests with dizzi- ness, unsteadiness and/or non-spinning vertigo, which are persistent, exacerbated by postural changes, movements and exposure to various visual stimuli. PPPD treatment is simpler than it may seem initially. It is based on effective psychoeducation related to the pathology in the first place, followed, or not, by vestibular rehabilitation, use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and/or cognitive behavioral therapy. We present two clini- cal cases of patients diagnosed with PPPD and their response to treatment.