Psychogenic dysphagia in children, and the success of family-based treatment

There is a close relationship between a person's mental health and gastrointestinal disorders. Psychogenic dysphagia is a rare condition related to swallowing disorders with no structural cause or organic diseases such as neurological deficits or other physical disorders. The mechanism of this swallowing disorder is still not well understood. Based on various studies that have been conducted, the condition of psychogenic dysphagia has comorbidity with psychological disorders such as anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress. In this case report, we will present a case of a 7-year-old male patient who had difficulty swallowing due to fear of vomiting with disturbed psychosocial conditions, and no organic disorders were found after the examination. The BDI examination showed a score of 18, which is within the border of clinical depression. So that the patient was diagnosed with psychogenic dysphagia which was included in the category of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in DSM 5. Holistic and multidisciplinary treatment was needed in this case. It was also reported that the success of medical treatment to reduce the patient's vomiting symptoms from pediatrics and psychologist department, combined with supportive psychotherapy and family-based treatment increases the patient's recovery rate.