Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychogenic Cough in Children : a case series

Abstract

Introduction: Cough is the most common presenting symptom in pediatric primary care settings. Cough can impact a child's activity level and ability to sleep, play or attend school and is often a source of parental anxiety. However, an etiology of cough is not always easily identified even after a thorough systematic investigation and psychological and neurological conditions are in the differential diagnosis. Psychogenic cough is diagnosed in cases without a clear pulmonary or extrapulmonary etiology in the presence of some suggestive clinical characteristics and/or an association with psychological issue. Psychogenic cough has been reported to be the second most common cause of chronic cough in children of age 6-16 years. Methodology: The present paper highlights four case reports of children who presented with symptoms of psychogenic cough in the OPD of CNBC hospital, Delhi.The presenting nature of the symptoms along with the underlying psychological factors have been discussed. Cognitive Behavioural techniques like distraction and cognitive restructuring interventions with the children along with family interventions were used. Conclusions: All the children showed significant improvement at the end of therapy. Three month follow up showed that the results were maintained. Cognitive Behavioural approaches are found to be effective in managing psychogenic cough and the present paper highlights the process of cognitive behavioural management of psychogenic cough in children.

Somatic Cough Syndrome in a Male Child: A Case Report

“…Additionally, no medications have been approved to treat somatic cough syndrome, and those that have been are usually only given to those who also have other psychiatric comorbidities. A case series of four children with somatic cough syndrome by Shahzadi and Shweta showed a significant improvement in their symptoms with CBT [12]. The present study also addresses the method of controlling psychogenic cough in children using CBT.…”