[Psychic aspects of the overactive gag reflex (gagging) in connection with a clinical case]

The overactive gag reflex is one of the etiologic categories of psychosomatic symptoms, which most often arise from environmental stressors. If organic disturbances, anatomic anomalies, or biomechanical inadequacies of existing prostheses are not key causes, the services of trained specialists are needed to help with behavioural management of the problem. Hypnosis can provide the clinician with a set of techniques, which may be used to augment or facilitate a particular course of treatment. In the case report, the patient's history and her overactive gag reflex suggested to use hypnosis therapy. The responsibility of a dentist can be found in his possible recognition of eventually necessary psychotherapy when consulting a patient.