gms | German Medical Science

The terminological distinction of psychogenic disorders in the field of otorhinolaryngology is difficult. The terms “psychogenic”, “psychosomatic”,”purely psychological”, “psycho-reactive” has to be differentiated and not being used as a synonym.

Based on the 2008 version of the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders (ICD10 Chapter V (F)), we classified the various psychogenic disorders in the field of otorhinolaryngology into four nosological groups for transparent representation.

The first group contains psychosomatic disorders with an organic correlative influenced through psychological factors, for example rosacea or Menière's disease. The second group classifies purely psychological diseases, i.e. psychogenic hearing disorder. The third group covers the traumatic disorders after severe physical or emotional trauma including violence, tumour destruction or accident. The forth group describes reactive disorders. Chronic overload or psychosocial stress indicates somatic and/or emotional symptoms, for example delayed rehabilitation after laryngectomy.

This systematization facilitates a fast orientation and classification to optimize diagnostic and therapy of patients with psychogenic disorders in otorhinolaryngology.