Psychic Dynamics in an Adult With Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Case Study

This case study describes and analyzes the psychodynamic experiences of an adult hospitalized after an acute cardiac event. Pierre, a 46-year-old Brazilian man with a high level of education, sought medical care for chest pain and was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction. He was immediately admitted to a hospital coronary care unit, where, after clinical stabilization, he agreed to undergo psychological assessment using self-report instruments and projective methods. While Pierre did not show clinical indicators of psychological distress on the self-report scales, his responses on the projective methods revealed signs of conflict in interpersonal relationships, with strong repression of affective experiences, suggesting difficulties in emotional management and a potential link to his physical illness. This case study, using a multimethod design, enriched the understanding of his psychological functioning and supported the identification of resources for coping with cardiac illness.