Functional Dysphagia in a Patient with Severe Weight Loss and Multiple Psychiatric Diagnoses: A Case Report

Background Functional dysphagia is a rare and complex disorder that presents diagnostic difficulties, particularly when psychiatric comorbidities are involved. This report discusses a unique case that underscores the importance of a thorough, multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis of this disorder. Case Presentation: A 45-year-old female with a history of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and prolonged grief disorder experienced five years of vomiting shortly after eating or drinking, along with the sensation of something stuck in her throat. She also reported significant weight loss. After an extensive gastrointestinal evaluation failed to reveal an organic cause, supportive psychotherapy led to a better understanding of her symptoms. Functional dysphagia was identified as the most probable diagnosis, and the patient’s receptiveness to treatment increased with therapeutic support. Conclusions This case illustrates the challenges of diagnosing functional dysphagia, especially in patients with coexisting psychiatric conditions. A multidisciplinary approach, integrating both psychological and medical evaluations, is crucial to achieving an accurate diagnosis and optimizing patient care.