Psychological consequences

There is very little written about the psychological and emotional involvement that involves the emergence and development of Pectus Excavatum.

Probably the low incidence of this condition and the surgical technique and approach in most cases as a treatment, justified from the medical point of view, the limited literature that attends to the psychological aspect of this congenital malformation.

However, when the professional is alert to the probable psychological component that may affect the patient suffering from Pectus must evaluate conditions that affect both the environment itself as the patient's family doctor. You should also take into account the psychological impact that has psychosocial development through the various chronological stages and physical changes experienced by the patient.

Can be deduced from the observed in the first stage of the development of this condition, the attitude of the environment surrounding the patient is in denial of the importance which might have the Pectus. Taking into account that not all behave the same gravity Pectus is easy to understand the environment in which the patient is immersed downplay the situation after the first moment of alarm. The patient "learns to live" with this situation and in denial that the medium offers.

Surgical treatment involves a wait that can sometimes be long and tedious. This was exacerbated by the patient's entry into adolescence for aesthetic and relational components caused by this stage of life. The need to hide the deformity and the multiple opportunities for exposure (leisure outings, invitations overnight, first signs of sex) can lead to anxiety and / or withdrawal in adolescents with pectus.

It is interesting to see how the show affected their interest in the aesthetic component postoperative psychological support offered to each other before the operation.

Is to take into account the degree of involvement presents PECTUS it is not expected that a minimal or slight subsidence affecting chest just as the most severe cases. This should take into account the concerns that may arise in the patient's potential involvement of organs and anatomical structures contained in the chest.

The patient directly affected by the PECTUS is aware of the concern and commitment to live their closest relatives. This can actually make the patient suffer in silence, without complaining, trying to make the family situation from getting worse by his own impatience, insecurity, or psychosocial isolation.