Suicidal Behavior in a Patient with Burning Mouth Syndrome

• Published in: Case reports in psychiatry Vol. 2014; no. 2014; pp. 1 - 3
• Main Authors: Maillis, Antonis, Chrysovergis, Aris, Papanikolaou, Vasilis, Koukia, Evmorfia, Kontoangelos, Konstantinos A., Papadimitriou, George N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cairo, Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 01.01.2014; Hindawi Limited; Wiley
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Behavior; Case Report; Mental health; Mortality; Older people; Otolaryngology; Pain; Patients; Substance abuse treatment; Suicides & suicide attempts; Trauma
• ISSN: 2090-682X; 2090-6838
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/405106

Introduction. Chronic pain of the oral cavity is a long-term condition and like all other types of chronic pain is associated with numerous comorbidities such as depression or anxiety. Case Presentation. This is a case of a 93-year-old patient suffering from chronic oral cavity pain who repeatedly stabbed his palate due to ongoing local pain, over the last few months, which he could not further tolerate. The patient was suffering from depression and also a diagnosis of “burning mouth syndrome” (BMS) was made. Discussion. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by a burning sensation in the tongue or other oral sites. BMS has high psychiatric comorbidity but can occur in the absence of psychiatric diagnosis. Patients with multiple forms of pain must be considered as potential candidates for underdiagnosed depression (major) and suicidal thoughts.