PSYCHOSOMATIC FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH VOCAL CORD CONTACT GRANULOMAS - INITIAL RESULTS

In a prospective study, 33 patients with vocal cord granulomas were seen in a psychosomatic interview and given questionaires. Results showed the significance of psychosomatic factors in the occurrence of vocal cord granulomas. Psycho-social stress situations, particularly in private lives, and losses of emotionally significant persons were of prime importance. Two types of personalities - a narcissistic and a psychosomatic type - were represented about equally. In the personality structure of the patients, compulsive behavior was diagnosed most frequently while depressive features occurred to a lesser degree. Supportive and expressive psychotherapy was indicated in two thirds of the cases.