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'Honking': Psychogenic cough tic in children
Insights
Psychogenic cough tic, a disruptive condition in children, presents as a loud, honking cough during wakefulness, absent during sleep. Treatment focuses on psychological support and addressing underlying issues, as medical interventions are ineffective.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Behavioral Medicine
- Child Neurology
Background:
- Psychogenic cough tic is a common yet challenging pediatric complaint.
- Characterized by a distinctive noisy, honking cough during waking hours.
- Symptoms typically manifest in winter, often following upper respiratory infections.
Observation:
- The cough is absent during sleep, a key diagnostic differentiator.
- Clinical examinations and laboratory tests yield negative results.
- Standard cough suppressants and other pharmacological treatments prove ineffective.
Findings:
- School phobia is a frequent contributing factor.
- Underlying psychological issues, beyond school phobia, are often implicated.
- The cough is involuntary and not consciously controlled.
Implications:
- Effective treatment relies on psychotherapeutic approaches, including suggestion.
- Identifying and addressing the root psychological problem is crucial.
- In refractory cases, pharmacotherapy with tranquilizers may be considered.
Abstract:
Psychogenic cough tic is a troublesome complaint. The cough is a noisy bark or honking, repeated frequently while the child is awake, but absent during sleep. Clinical and laboratory findings are negative, and cough suppressants and other medications are ineffective. The cough usually starts in the winter months and may be preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. School phobia is frequently a contributory cause, but other psychological problems must also be considered. Treatment is usually by suggestion and identification of the underlying psychological problem. In some cases tranquillizers may be required.