[Psychogenic aphonia; an effective and rapidly treatable conversion]

Psychogenic aphonia is a conversion symptom which is quite annoying to the patient. This article concentrates on the treatment of psychogenic aphonia. The literature contains only few articles on this subject. We present in detail a very efficient way of treatment with directive and biofeedback aspects. Central to the treatment is a direct approach of the symptom, based on the idea that due to the time factor the aphonia has become dissociated from the unconscious psychological conflict. The treatment starts with a double cough so that the vocal chords close. At the same time the ear, nose and throat specialist looks with the laryngoscope and corrects directly which gives an optimal learning effect. In 1988 and 1989, 23 patients were treated with this method. The duration of the aphonia varied from two weeks to two years. In eight of the patients the aphonia recurred. Patients were treated for a total of 45 episodes of aphonia. In all cases the voice returned within an hour.