Panic attack and phobic avoidance are prevalent in patients who present with balance disorders. Conversely, a high prevalence of vestibular and balance dysfunction has been observed in patients who present with panic disorder and agoraphobia.

Patients with balance disorders and prominent symptoms of anxiety are often mislabeled as having "psychogenic" symptoms. By further exploring vestibular processes in patients with anxiety disorders who have certain constellations of anxiety symptoms, the proposed studies will generate increased knowledge regarding a common clinical issue, with the long term goal of developing improved management strategies.