Pulmonary Complications of Mental Health Problems

Abstract

There is often a complex reciprocal relationship between pulmonary disease symptoms, stress, and mental health disorders. The management of chronic pulmonary illness often causes increased levels of stress in children and their families and, when chronic, can contribute to mental health problems. For children who have maladaptive coping mechanisms or poor emotion regulation, psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety and depression can manifest as physiological symptoms, either causing pulmonary complications or exacerbating present symptoms. This chapter provides an overview of the psychophysiological links between pulmonary and mental health problems. It highlights common pediatric disorders including asthma, dyspnea, vocal cord dysfunction, and psychogenic cough. Additionally, this chapter provides useful and practical tools for practitioners from diverse disciplines to evaluate and treat functional and comorbid mental health and pulmonary conditions.