Use a thorn to draw thorn: Reframing and symptom prescription for habit cessation

Abstract

Successful pediatric practice involves a combination of good hand skills and proper behavior guidance of children. Reframing can be used effectively to alter children's thought processes. Reframing can be explained using principles of transactional analysis by Eric Berne, Freud's psychoanalytical theory, and Pavlov's associative learning. The art of reframing lies in learning the skill of knowing the ego state of the child, modifying it (reframing) by changing the thought process and associations, and to make him/her communicate with proper ego states. The role of reframing in the treatment of habits such as thumb sucking and lip biting has been observed. Without psychological management for habits, if other methods of treatment are used, the child pairs the treatment with punishment and may become adamant. Hence, dentists can use reframing in the case of habits, such as symptom prescription or reverse psychology, a component of reframing as the first step wherein the patient is asked to increase the frequency of the habit. Children could no longer enjoy the habit and they became more receptive for communication and by showing photographs of children engaged in the habit that lead to disfigurement, we can further alter the children's thinking. Thus, the change in our approach can bring about a change in mind and attitude of our patients, in turn changing their health behavior and quality of life. This poster attempts to explain the concept of reframing and its application in a clinical situation.