Psychogenic vomiting: The relation between patterns of vomiting and psychiatric diagnoses

Abstract

Fifty nine patients admitted with a diagnosis of psychogenic vomiting were classified into five patterns of vomiting: continuous, habitual postprandial, irregular vomiting, nausea, and self induced. The psychiatric disorders related to the onset of vomiting were either a major depression or a conversion disorder. Continuous vomiting was usually due to a conversion disorder, while in many cases of habitual postprandial and irregular vomiting, major depression was observed. The patients' psychiatric disorders and vomiting patterns often changed during the clinical course. Assessing the psychiatric problems and vomiting patterns is important in the diagnosis and treatment of psychogenic vomiting.