What is a characteristic symptom of conversion aphonia?

A characteristic symptom of conversion aphonia is the ability to maintain whispered speech even though the individual may experience a complete or near-complete loss of the ability to speak normally. This phenomenon is often related to psychological stress or trauma, where the individual might subconsciously suppress their voice while still being able to whisper. The maintenance of the ability to whisper indicates that the vocal cords are generally functional but are not being used correctly in normal speech due to the psychological factors at play.

Other options highlight features that are not consistent with conversion aphonia. For instance, the loss of both whispered and spoken voice suggests a more organic or neurological cause rather than a functional one. Similarly, associated cough and pain may indicate other conditions affecting the larynx or throat that are not characteristic of conversion aphonia. Moreover, vocal cord abnormalities would point towards a physical issue, which again does not align with the diagnosis of conversion aphonia, where physical examinations typically reveal no pathological changes. Understanding these aspects helps to clarify the nature of conversion aphonia and why certain voice characteristics are maintained.