Chronic Unexplained Vomiting: A Case Report on Psychogenic Vomiting

Cureus. 2022 Jun 15;14(6):e25959. doi: 10.7759/cureus.25959. eCollection 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Psychogenic vomiting is defined as recurrent vomiting without any known discernible organic reasons, or functional vomiting occurring from psychological stress. The overall clinical presentation of psychogenic vomiting suggests a wide range of disability levels, such as stress disorders, mood changes, depression, sexual problems, personality disorders, learned responses, conversion disorders, and illness problems. Non-pharmacological treatment modalities are important as medication for psychogenic vomiting such as individual and group psychotherapy, supportive and behavioral therapy, and family and marital therapy. In this case report, a 25-year-old male with schizophrenia on medication presented to an outpatient clinic with the primary complaint of recurrent vomiting. After ruling out pathologic and physiologic causes of vomiting. It was classified as psychogenic vomiting.

Keywords: depression; low mood; psychogenic vomiting; psychotherapy; schizophrenia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports