My boyfriend has vertigo and has been to the ER, to Stanford, etc. He's had at least 3 different diagnoses. He's been told it was labyrinthitis (inflammation of the ear canal), that he had a loose "crystal" (not sure of the technical term) and that it would never be permanently cured (only temporarily by doing some exercises), and that it had something to do with the hairs in the ear canal being out of place. Oh, and water inside the ear canal from a past cold (which would be the least likely reason now because it's been about 4 months). So, pick one. LOL.
Vertigo is specifically a dizziness that makes the room feel like it's spinning. It's not light-headedness per se. It would also make your eyes "spin" if the doctor tilts you backwards in a certain position.
Interestingly enough, he does have anxiety, and I personally think this is the root of his problem.