This book is about “vestibular” illnesses – those that arise in the inner ear and precipitate the sickening experiences of vertigo and imbalance, usually without warning. There are not many books on vertigo written for the general public, and the writer saw a need for one that offered not only detailed information concerning these diseases, but an exploration of the vertigo experience itself, and of the problems that can occur in searching for effective therapy and a sense of understanding. The book is unique in that more than fifty people were interviewed in order to provide a good look at a variety of real life experiences. Many of their stories are threaded through the text as examples. Included are chapters on the psychological effects of illness, challenges encountered in seeking help, conventional and unconventional treatments, anatomy and functioning of the ear, as well as a history of the development of a scientific understanding of vertigo. The book does not recommend any specific solutions, but rather seeks to provide some understanding of these illnesses and their ramifications, as well as options for coping with them. The sections of the book devoted to strictly medical information were reviewed by an experienced otolaryngologist. Comments by Madelon Baranoski, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Yale University: “This is an informative and entirely readable book on vertigo. The author weaves her own experiences, accounts from others who suffer from the disorder, and anatomy, physiology, and treatment information into a coherent discourse on the human experience of ‘the world spinning out of control.’ Personally, the book has helped me understand my mother’s bouts of benign positional vertigo. Reading it with me, Mom felt less isolated in her struggle with the unpredictable enveloping dizziness and I felt a new connection with her. We both felt less helpless. There is nothing like this book in the medical or popular press; I enthusiastically recommend it to family, friends, physicians and therapists of people with vertigo. It is an empathic, comprehensive, and well-written window into a very perplexing disorder.”

Linda Zonana has a diagnosis of Menière’s Disease, one of the diseases of the inner ear. Her own struggles in dealing with the condition led her to do the research and interviews that culminated in the writing of this book. She and her husband live near New Haven, CT. Their three children are grown. She is a graduate of Swarthmore College, and has a master’s degree from the Smith College School for Social Work. Currently, she works part-time as a clinician at a local mental health agency. Linda enjoys reading novels and books of scientific and historical interest, as well as many outdoor activities. These include swimming and surfing, along with hiking, skiing, and sailing with her husband.