Psychogenic voice disorders--heroes or hysterics? A brief overview with questions and discussion.

A brief overview of the field in relation to psychogenic voice disorders is given with reference to past and present terminology used, the common presentations seen, followed by the more subtle or ambiguous examples which may challenge our notions of psychogenic or clear-cut functional versus organic dichotomies. Issues related to aetiology, personality and psychological correlates are discussed, and a number of questions regarding the phenomenology of psychogenic dysphonia and its therapeutic resolution are raised. Since prevalence continues to be significantly in favour of women, it is suggested psychogenic voice disorder as a feminist issue might be worthy of our further consideration.