Functional aphonia. A conversion symptom as defensive mechanism against anxiety.

Aphonia is the extreme form of a functional voice disorder. 22 female patients with aphonia underwent laryngoscopic and phonic examinations, psychiatric evaluation, psychological testing and biographical history-taking. Results demonstrate a homogeneous clinical picture, but heterogeneous personality structures and conflict situations. All patients are overtaxed by their situation; the conversion reaction is used as a means to express anxiety and maintain self-assertion at the same time.