title: Vocal cord dysfunction: dealing with aggressivity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is characterised by recurrent attacks of paradoxical adduction of the vocal cords during inspiration, accompanied clinically by dyspnoea attacks with inspiratory stridor lasting between minutes and hours. The aim of the study is to evaluate the self-perception of patients suffering from VCD and how they deal with aggressivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Giessen Test (GT) and the Picture Frustration Test (PFT) were used on 6 patients with VCD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five variables show significant differences between the patients with VCD and the values of the normative groups. VCD-patients show an idealized image of themselves, ie relaxed, open, sociable, and capable of devotion. They do not reject accusations against them by others and rarely make self-criticism. In conflicts they behave passively, thus blocking their expression of aggressivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In many cases organic disposition and trigger stimuli are thought to be responsible for provoking dyspnoea attacks in VCD. However, the self-perception of patients and their way of dealing with aggressivity strongly suggests that psychosocial factors play a great role in the development of VCD. This requires not only symptom-orientated therapy but also psychological counselling.
authors: Division of Phoniatrics, ENT-Clinic, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. eberhard.seifert@insel.ch
authors: Eberhard
authors: E
authors: Seifert
authors: Juerg
authors: J
authors: Kollbrunner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011386:Projective Techniques; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology*