Self-image of asthmatic children expressed in their drawings

Chronic asthma has an obligatory influence on the emotional state of children with this disease. The disease has psychosomatic components and stress can be the principal cause of the attacks of dyspnea. 50 asthmatic children, 8-14 years of age, were examined and their drawings were compared with those of 20 control children. The drawings of 60% of the asthmatic children were interpreted as showing that they regarded themselves as ill and that they underestimate their self-image. Half of the group use the disease for secondary gain from their peers, and especially from their parents. The rest feel themselves to be healthy without restriction in their daily lives. The prognosis for asthmatic attacks in this group is good.