Catastrophic thinking and the experience of pain during dental procedures.
In recent years, considerable research has addressed psychological predictors of pain, emotional distress, and avoidance in relation to dental treatment. Our work has focused on how "pain catastrophizing" impacts on the physical and emotional distress experienced during dental procedures. Pain catastrophizing refers to individuals' tendency to focus excessively on pain sensations and exaggerate their threat value, and to feel helpless in their efforts to reduce or manage their pain. Several studies reveal that pain catastrophizers report extreme pain even in response to dental procedures not typically considered to be painful. In this paper, we also discuss how practitioners who foster the disclosure of dental worries and concerns can significantly reduce the physical and emotional distress of patients who engage in catastrophic thinking.
Sullivan
M J
MJ
Department of Psychology, School of Dental Hygiene, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Neish
N
N
D000367:Age Factors; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D016854:Dental Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003729:Dental Care; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000503:physiopathology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D013850:Thinking