Intractable sneezing - An unusual case presentation from a tertiary care hospital in South India

Abstract: An 11-year-old female child was referred to the allergy clinic in the otolaryngology department with recurrent spells of sneezing of about 2½ months duration. Thorough clinical and psychosocial history was taken from the child and the parents. Clinical examination and relevant investigations to exclude any organic causes for sneezing were done. The psychological history revealed the evidence related to psychological stress. She was not able to cope up with her peer group in the school with respect to academic pressures and expectations because of learning disabilities. A result of the above situation was anxiety. Hence, she was using intractable sneezing (IS) as a defense to cope up with stress, so that she could abstain from going to school. A final diagnosis of psychogenic IS was made.