PSYCHOGENIC FACTORS IN THE ETIOLOGY OF FUNCTIONAL VOICE DISORDERS

In order to estimate the significance of the psychogenic factor in the etiology of functional voice disorders on the basis of relevant psych ological dimensions we compared patients with functional dysphonia, ap honia and a normal control group by means of an empirical-psychologica l test procedure. Psychogenic conditions proved to be a major factor i n the etiology of aphonia, whereas such an interrelation turned out on ly partially in patients with functional dysphonia. The conclusion can be that psychogenic aspects are not necessarily of exceeding importan ce in the etiology of functional dysphonia. If no differentiation is m ade between the two kinds of voice disorders an overestimation of psyc hogenic genic influence might occur.