Psychogenic Cough

When dealing with psychogenic cough, a chronic cough that originates from psychological factors rather than a physical airway problem. Also known as functional cough, it often appears in people under stress or anxiety. One common form is habit cough, a repetitive, dry cough that persists despite normal lung function. This type of cough encompasses the same underlying mechanisms as psychogenic cough but is easier to spot because it follows a predictable pattern.

Why it happens and how to stop it

Underlying anxiety, a feeling of unease that can trigger or worsen the cough often fuels the urge to cough, creating a feedback loop. In many cases, behavioral therapy, techniques that retrain breathing patterns and reduce the urge to cough is the most effective way to break that loop. The therapy requires patients to practice controlled breathing, distraction methods, and sometimes speech‑language exercises. When anxiety levels drop and breathing habits improve, the cough usually fades.

Below you’ll find articles that walk through diagnosis steps, explain how stress and habit interrelate, and show practical treatment plans—including CBT, speech therapy tricks, and lifestyle tweaks. Dive in to see how each piece fits into managing a psychogenic cough and get actionable tips you can start using right away.