Overview
This study examines how dizziness impacts people’s everyday lives, affecting their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being. Although dizziness is a common symptom that sends millions of people to the doctor each year, healthcare providers often lack tools that fully capture the extent to which it disrupts daily life. To bridge that gap, researchers from the University of Michigan and its partner institutions interviewed adults living with various types of dizziness to build a more comprehensive picture of its real-world impact.
Why This Matters
Approximately 15% of U.S. adults experience dizziness each year, and the incidence increases with age. Yet the questionnaires most often used in clinics (like the Dizziness Handicap Inventory) focus mainly on physical symptoms, missing emotional, cognitive, and social aspects. The researchers’ goal was to design a framework that reflects the full experience of dizziness—something that could later form the basis for a new “patient-reported outcome” tool to improve diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation.
How the Study Worked
Thirty adults were interviewed, evenly divided among three groups:
- Vestibular causes (inner ear conditions like Ménière’s or BPPV),
- Neurological causes (brain or nerve-related dizziness), and
- Nonspecific dizziness (when no clear cause is found).
Participants ranged in age from their 30s to 70s and had experienced dizziness for an average of five years. Using semi-structured Zoom interviews, researchers asked participants open-ended questions about how dizziness affected their daily functioning, emotions, relationships, and coping strategies.
The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for recurring themes—an approach known as thematic analysis. Four major life areas emerged: physical health, social health, mental and cognitive health, and coping/adaptation.
Key Findings
Physical Health
All participants described serious effects on movement, balance, and daily tasks. Many reported falls, fatigue, and the need to move slowly or rely on walls or furniture for support. Visual problems—such as blurriness, sensitivity to light, or discomfort from moving objects—were a universal experience. Over half had trouble sleeping, and about three-quarters reported nausea or appetite loss. Headaches, body pain, and tiredness were common.
Social Health
Nearly everyone reported that dizziness interfered with their social life.
- 96% avoided social or recreational activities due to fear of symptoms.
- Many felt embarrassed, describing stigma when appearing unsteady (“people think I’m drunk”).
- 80% reported a loss of independence—trouble driving, shopping, or working.
- Relationships suffered, including changes in intimacy and communication.
These social limitations often deepened feelings of isolation and sadness.
Mental and Cognitive Health
Emotional distress was nearly universal.
- 97% reported frustration and anger.
- 93% experienced anxiety or panic, especially in unpredictable or busy environments like stores.
- Over half described grief or depression linked to lost independence or identity.
Cognitive effects—often called “brain fog”—were reported by 90% of participants. People reported struggling to concentrate, remember, or make decisions when they were dizzy.
Positive Adaptation and Resilience
Despite the challenges, every participant described ways to cope. Common strategies included pacing activities, doing vestibular therapy, mindfulness, and simplifying routines. Many found support from family, friends, pets, or faith communities. Some emphasized self-awareness—learning their limits and regaining confidence through slow, deliberate movement. These stories revealed remarkable resilience and a desire to regain control and meaning in life.
A New Framework for Understanding Dizziness
From these interviews, researchers developed a conceptual model illustrating how dizziness affects four interrelated domains—physical, mental, cognitive, and social—and how coping and resilience can mitigate the burden. This framework will be the foundation for creating a comprehensive new assessment tool that captures the whole person experience of dizziness, not just symptoms.
Conclusions
Dizziness is far more than a balance problem—it can profoundly impact every aspect of life, from walking and working to thinking and connecting with others. The study highlights the importance of healthcare providers to consider test results in conjunction with patient experiences. By developing a broader, patient-centered measure of dizziness-related quality of life, the researchers aim to help clinicians deliver more personalized care and improve outcomes for millions who live with chronic dizziness.
In short:
This study puts real voices behind the statistics, showing that dizziness can affect how people move, think, feel, and relate to others—but also that many find strength and adaptability in facing it.
By Devin McCaslin, Batoul Berri, Jennifer Miner, Christopher Graves, and colleagues (Journal of Vestibular Research, 2025)
Source: McCaslin DL, Berri B, Miner JA, et al. Dizziness and its effect on health-related quality of life (DRQOL). Journal of Vestibular Research. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/09574271251392050.
