Silencing the Somatic Cough in Children: Case Report and a Review of Management Strategies

Cough is among the most common presentations in childhood. “Habit cough,” also referred to as “psychogenic cough” or “somatic cough syndrome,” is a frequently misdiagnosed and mistreated condition. Somatic cough often follows an upper respiratory tract infection and can be identified through a comprehensive clinical history, psychiatric evaluation, and basic investigations. Nevertheless, many children undergo unnecessary diagnostic procedures and are exposed to extensive pharmacological treatments. Management strategies such as psychoeducation, addressing underlying psychosocial stressors, and suggestion therapy have demonstrated considerable benefit. In addition, various psychotherapeutic approaches, cough suppression techniques, and select pharmacological interventions have shown effectiveness. In this report, we present the case of a young female patient who achieved significant improvement with suggestion therapy and we review the current therapeutic modalities available for the management of somatic cough syndrome.