Meeting abstract

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.292

Psychiatric Aspects of Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome: A Case Report

Niko Mastelić ; Ivić Rakun Dental Studio, J. Polić Kamova 65, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia *
Tonći Mastelić ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia
Tonka Borovina Marasović ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
Marinela Krištić ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Josipa Huttlera 4, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Davor Lasić ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia
Trpimir Glavina ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2, 21000 Split, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Temporomandibular joint syndrome, or temporomandibular
disorders, affect the joint between the
temporal bone and the mandible, as well as the
surrounding muscles. Their main feature is pain,
but acoustic phenomena during joint movement
and/or restricted jaw function may also be present.
Stress is cited as a possible cause, and the syndrome
is considered to have a psychological component;
psychopharmaceuticals are also used in
treatment. The aim is to present a patient who recovered
from temporomandibular joint syndrome through psychiatric treatment. A patient in his
fifties presented for an outpatient psychiatric examination
due to anxiety–depressive symptoms.
He had been referred by a dental medicine specialist.
He had a negative psychiatric family history.
The interview revealed long‑standing and complex
work‑related problems, bruxism, headache, pain
in the facial area—especially in the region of the
temporomandibular joint—acoustic phenomena
when opening and closing the mouth, difficulty
opening the mouth, and problems with falling
asleep and maintaining sleep. The patient was
treated with sertraline and alprazolam, and after
three months of treatment, his symptoms fully resolved.
Emotional burden is often cited as one of
the causes of temporomandibular joint syndrome.
Stress leads to increased muscle activation, which
results in joint damage, muscle tension, and pain.
Stress may also lower the pain tolerance threshold.
There is a shared genetic basis for vulnerability to
stress, pain, anxiety, and depression. People with
anxiety and depressive disorders are at higher risk
of developing this syndrome. If joint pain persists
for a longer period, it can then negatively affect
a person’s mental health. It has been established
that changes in inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters,
and neuropeptides that accompany
depression are also present in temporomandibular
joint syndrome. Changes in the same brain
regions and neural networks have likewise been
recorded. From a psychoanalytic perspective, one
can speak of a conflict between the desire for independence
and dependence, modes of directing
aggression, sadism and masochism, somatization,
and conversion. This patient’s case demonstrates
the importance of a multidisciplinary approach.

Keywords

temporomandibular joint; stress; mental health; aggression; conversion

Hrčak ID:

352990

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/352990

Publication date:

15.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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