Prolonged Vertigo Associated with Nystagmus: an Organic or a Psychiatric Disorder? – Discussing a Case Report

  • Naeimehossadat Hosseini Isfahan university of medical sciences , Isfahan , Iran
  • Amir Moghaddam-Ahmadi Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
  • Mohammad Ali Abdolkarimi Dawarani Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
  • Reza Bidaki Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
  • Aboozar TajikSafa Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31661/gmj.v2i2.31
Keywords: Nystagmus, Vertigo, Somatization disorder

Abstract

Background:It is mostly organic diseases that are considered when a neurological sign or symptom is present in the history of a patient; however, there may be psychiatric problems also present which could be missed. We report a case to discuss the possibility of the presence of an organic or psychiatric underlying disorder when facing neurological problems.Case Presentation:We report a case of chronic headache accompanied by vertigo and multiple medical problems including nystagmus and abdominal pain without any significant findings on physical exam that was diagnosed to have a somatization disorder (Not Otherwise Specified or NOS).Conclusion:We did not find any documents regarding the presence of true nystagmus as a functional, factitious or psychosomatic disorder; however, voluntary nystagmus has been reported in some cases with a series of fast (saccadic) back-to-back eye movements, without any interval or slow phase. It is recommended that psychiatrists and neurologists search for a psychiatric disorder as well; even if the problem is supposed to have an organic nature like nystagmus or vertigo, especially when associated with a prolonged, resistant, or unusual course.

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Published
2013-06-16
How to Cite
Hosseini, N., Moghaddam-Ahmadi, A., Abdolkarimi Dawarani, M. A., Bidaki, R., & TajikSafa, A. (2013). Prolonged Vertigo Associated with Nystagmus: an Organic or a Psychiatric Disorder? – Discussing a Case Report. Galen Medical Journal, 2(2), 83-86. https://doi.org/10.31661/gmj.v2i2.31
Issue
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2013): June 2013
Section
Case Report/Series

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