The Hidden Psychosis of Open-Heart Surgery

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Abstract
In the observation of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, it has become evident that many of the emotional aspects of cardiotomy are hidden, in good measure because of the anxiety these procedures evoke in both patient and staff. For this reason, serious mental difficulties are often revealed only by careful interviewing. In this study, 12 apparently normal patients were examined. Eight of these patients were found to have suffered a major psychiatric upheaval and yet had managed to hide this from their medical attendants. This suggests that psychosis after openheart surgery is more common than anticipated and may be almost universal. The role of awe, as a response to having one's heart incised, is seen as a prominent feature among the several organic and psychological factors leading to the psychosis.

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