J Oral Med Pain.  2022 Jun;47(2):78-86. 10.14476/jomp.2022.47.2.78.

Deepening the Understanding of Somatization in TMD Pain: A Topical Review

• Kim HK
• Kim ME

• KMID: 2552197
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14476/jomp.2022.47.2.78

Abstract

An association between psychological factors and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) has been extensively explored for over 40 years, and a high prevalence of depression and somatization has been consistently reported in patients with TMD. Current evidence suggests that patients’ somatic awareness can serve as a primer for TMD incidence and further contribute to the transition to chronic pain. However, the current understanding of somatization from a medical perspective is limited. The best way to address patients with TMD pain who have somatization is also unclear. Therefore, this paper aims to provide an overview of somatization in the context of pain psychology and address its clinical implications in the context of TMD pain.

Keyword

Pain; Somatization disorder; Somatoform disorder; Temporomandibular joint disorders