This paper reports the case of a 23-year old female halitosis patient treated by the description of impressions, and also discusses the therapeutic significance of this method.
It is generally difficult to treat halitosis patients because of their poor verbalization. Repeated interviews often end in drawing out only minimal and perfunctory replies.
We have often experienced, however that use of the description of impressions makes it easier for halitosis patients to express their emotions.
In this case, the therapist placed the emphasis on changing the patient's subjective view of the context of her halitosis, which is influenced by the awareness that a problem exists.
The therapeutic approach was adjusted according to the changing of strength of the patient's belief in the halitosis. At first, it was important to reduce her anxiety. Then we focused her on the problem in mind, which sought to deny the halitosis.
In this process, the therapeutic key word “bad myself” helped her to overcome her mental sickness.
In the end, she obtained some release from her mistaken conviction and was able to behave more freely.
In conclusion, the description of impressions has some therapeutic significance as follows;
First, it allows the doctor to grasp what is actually happening in the patient's mind, and so to give more effective assistance. Also, by using this method, we can correct the patient's mistaken cognition about their halitosis in a shorter time.
