Background: Patients who present to primary care with symptoms of fainting and dizziness, for which there is no adequate physical explanation, are frequently suffering from an undiagnosed psychiatric disorder.
Objective: This article aims to improve the recognition of common mental disorders presenting as 'fits, faints and funny turns' (FFFTs) and to encourage general practitioners to view these disorders as a positive diagnosis in need of treatment.
Discussion: Psychiatric disorders, particularly panic attacks and depression, are common in the setting of FFFTs and should be a positive diagnosis rather than a diagnosis of exclusion. A detailed description of the episode, with corroborating information from a witness if possible, and psychiatric rating scales can assist in this process. Identifying a physical cause for the episode does not exclude a psychiatric diagnosis and vice versa. Specific psychological and pharmacological therapies are effective for anxiety and depression.