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Can Anxiety Cause TMJD?


Balance Epigenetic Orthodontics - October 1, 2019 - 0 comments

Most people don’t realize it, but stress, anxiety and temporomandibular joint pain are all related. Both anxiety and TMJ pain have symptoms that are very much alike and can easily be mistaken for each other. While it’s not uncommon to see people experiencing these symptoms together, can anxiety actually be the cause of your TMJ disorder and pain? Let’s find out how these conditions are connected.

TMJ and Anxiety: A Two-Way Link

To begin with, the temporomandibular joint is a very complex joint made up of an intricate network of muscles and many soft tissues. However, the jaw joint is prone to misalignment, which is usually the cause of TMJ disorder and the ensuing pain. The pain and symptoms of TMJD can be scary and frustrating, which can easily trigger anxiety.

While headache, jaw pain and jaw locking are common TMJ disorder symptoms, the condition may present a wide range of other seemingly unrelated symptoms that can cause anxiety. For example, TMJD can come with tinnitus, a difficult condition that can easily trigger feelings of anxiety.

Let’s Talk Anxiety!

Anxiety is a normal human emotion. But when it persists for too long, it can interfere with a patient’s normal daily activities and well-being. Anxiety may present several physical and psychological symptoms that may include nervousness, restlessness, insomnia and fatigue, among others.

Anxiety can be both a cause and a symptom of TMJ disorder. The relationship between both of these conditions is like a two-way street, so if you’re experiencing TMJ disorder, anxiety and/or stress, it’s important to seek treatment.

Get Help

Dr. Buck offers treatment for TMJ disorder that addresses symptoms that could be caused by TMJD, anxiety or both. You can easily schedule a visit or contact The Balance Epigenetic Orthodontics team at 206-316-8286. We’ll be more than happy to help.