Phantosmia and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in a patient with burning mouth syndrome suffering from severe depression

Abstract

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a rare but serious medical condition with important psychiatric comorbidity and specific psychological correlates. Psychopathology related with BMS represents a real challenge for clinical decision-making. In this case, depression is the leading psychiatric diagnosis associated with patient's BMS somatic pain and is driven by anxiety and a dissociative functioning. Facing a complex psychosomatic symptomatology, we offer new clinical perspectives for the screening of psychological traits of BMS. Moreover, we highlight the need to foster interdisciplinarity to improve differential diagnosis and defining an optimal care path. This case report stimulates a reflection on management challenges for the consultation-liaison psychiatry and shows the importance of a person-centred approach when communicating the diagnosis.

Keywords: Ear, nose and throat/otolaryngology; General practice / family medicine; Pain (neurology); Psychotherapy; Somatoform disorders.