[Psychogenic aspects of functional dysphonia]

Abstract

In order to estimate the significance of the psychogenic factor in the etiology of functional voice disorders on the basis of relevant psychological dimensions we compared patients with functional dysphonia, aphonia and a normal control group by means of an empirical-psychological test procedure. Psychogenic conditions proved to be a major factor in the etiology of aphonia, whereas such an interrelation turned out only partially in patients with functional dysphonia. The conclusion can be that psychogenic aspects are not necessarily of exceeding importance in the etiology of functional dysphonia. If no differentiation is made between the two kinds of voice disorders an overestimation of psychogenic influence might occur.