Psychogenic dysphagia

Abstract

Psychogenic dysphagia is a rare swallowing condition that is not well understood with no structural cause or organic disease. The most frequent symptom seems to be fear of swallowing. Avoidance of swallowing specific food, fluids, or pills may result in malnutrition, and weight loss. A thorough swallowing evaluation is necessary in a patient with suspected psychogenic dysphagia. The swallowing evaluation may require a multidisciplinary approach involving professionals from neurology, otolaryngology, speech-language pathology, radiology, and gastroenterology, and thereby involve a clinical as well as instrumental examination. The diagnosis of psychogenic dysphagia should be reserved for patients with strong psychological symptoms and fear of swallowing thereby avoiding misdiagnosis. The most effective treatment of psychogenic dysphagia seems to be a combination of psychological treatment and dysphagia therapy. An optimal management program requires close collaboration between the dysphagia clinician and colleagues in psychology.