Disturbances of Respiration of Functional Origin

When is cough functional, and how should it be treated?

“…His 2-year follow-up supported the success of his therapy. Since then, several descriptive terms have been used for this condition: “functional or psychogenic cough” [8], “psychogenic cough tic” [9], “operant cough” [10], “honking” [11], “involuntary cough syndrome” [11] and “somatic cough syndrome” [12]. However, our experience has found “habit cough” to fit the syndrome best, and has been most acceptable to the families in diagnosing and explaining the nature of the disorder.…”

The Habit Cough Syndrome

“…4 Rabin's report, however, gave no indication of his success rate. Kravitz et al 5 and later Weinberg 7 reported treatment of a total of 12 cases of habit cough using suggestion and reassurance for all, with addition of mild tranquilizers and psychotherapy in some cases.…”

“…However, several authors did report some specific physical findings. 4,9,10,13,14 Cohlan and Stone checked the gag and corneal reflexes in 31 of his patients with habit cough and found abnormally decreased or absent gag reflex in all and depressed or absent corneal reflex in 21. 13 Rabin brought attention to the ''presence of edema of the lingual tonsils'' that ''impinge on the epiglottis, obliterating the vallecula space.''…”

Vocal Cord Dysfunction: Masquerader of Asthma

“…William Osier 2 spoke of "hysterical cries" in the case of an adolescent girl with a "remarkable inspiratory cry somewhat like the whoop of a whooping-cough, but so intense it was heard at a long distance." In more contemporary times, Rabin 3 described a patient in 1968 with spasm of the vocal cords resulting in a choking sensation. He postulated that the symptom was an unconscious expression of a death wish and was "undoubtedly psychically induced."…”