The treatment of temporomandibular joint syndrome through control of anxiety.
Following a negative experience with general anesthesia, a 20-yr-old woman developed anxiety and an inability to relax concomitant with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and pain syndrome. Systematic countering of anxiety by relaxation successfully removed her anxiety and led to a complete resolution of her symptoms. Follow-up at 16 months indicated maintenance of treatment gains and no recurrence of the symptoms during the previous 12 months.
D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002012:Bruxism / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis; D009126:Muscle Relaxation; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*