Book excerpt: According to the National Institute of Health Statistics, dizziness will occur in 70% of the nations population at sometime in their lives. People who experience dizziness and imbalance aren't always truly understood. In Dizzy Spell: Living & Coping with an Inner Ear Disorder, Gillian Barnett shares a personal account of her experiences with a disabling, invisible inner ear disorder called labyrinthitis, which left her imbalanced and dizzy for over two years. Her story, research and experience as a "dizzy patient" help other patients' and people who suffer from balance and inner ear disorders to cope. It gives loved ones and health professionals a better understanding through a "patient's" perspective. Gillian gives advice on how she "survived" and made it through rough dizzy patches. This book includes advice that can help patients to return to normal everyday lives. Topics include: Balance as a "sixth" sense Creating a "survival" kit Different balance tests available From a story about Vincent Van Gogh, the famous painter, who cut off his ear to the author's own personal "dizzy" journal, Dizzy Spell: Living & Coping with an Inner Ear Disorder uplifts and helps other "dizzy" patients get their lives back to normal.