Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction and Performance Psychology: Using the Mind as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Target.

Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction causes severe shortness of breath during exercise. Episodes are associated with severe distress. These patients and those with inducible laryngeal obstruction triggered by other factors have been noted to demonstrate mental health disorders, personality features that may be associated with symptoms, and dysfunctional stress responses. This literature review calls attention to the observation that patients with isolated exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction are generally mentally healthy. We review available metrics to assess traits and stress responses in performance psychology. We also discuss a therapeutic performance psychology framework.