抄録
We had 20 glossodynia patients (16 females and 4 males) and started the treatment by giving the guarantees against malignant tumor, explaining the normal shape of tongue, and showing our understanding and sympathy for their tongue-pain; because we thought that tongue-cancerphobia might be the cause of glossodynia.
In one group (5 females) the tongue-pain disappeared after one or two dental inspections, and in the other (10 females and 3 males), we tried brief-psychotherapy and/or drug therapy.
55 % of the total were female patients of 40-50 years, suffering tongue-pain when alone and had their hands free. On the other hand, 3 of 4 males complained that their tongue was painful during and /or after speaking;their adaptaion to society was very good.
In 13 patients, we could recognize a variety of personalities, such as depressive, asthenic, obsessive, attention seeking, infantile and nervous character through psychological interviews. Slightly obsessive patients tended to be resistant to the pain treatment. In many cases, when patients manifested their anxiety, the tongue-pain seemed to alleviate.
In 12 cases, antidepressants and minor tranquilizers were tried and showed to be effective in 3 and 8 cases, respectively.
It could be concluded that the glossodynia patients had various anxieties, and that their psychological dynamism was similar to that of hypochondriacal people. Finally, it was discussed if there was sex-difference in the way of appearance of glossodynia.
