For children the circumstances of the intensive care unit (ICU) indubitably present a particular psychological stress. For a child awaking from a state of traumatic unconsciousness in the ICU, and who has to be further treated there, this is an even more powerful psychological extreme situation. Extreme situation of this kind is liable to provoke a particular abnormal psychic "emergency reaction". This reaction can follow the pattern of a faigned-death reflex and in a such a way mime a coma vigile (apallic state). The circumstances and the interaction of factors responsible for the arise of such a primitive reaction are discussed. With the help of a representative case the clinical manifestations, course and treatment of the pseudo-apallic syndrome ("Sleeping Beauty syndrome") are presented. The important role of ICU staff for the prevention and treatment of such reactive disturbances are emphasized.