The Burn Victim—A Review of Psychosocial Issues

Abstract

Over recent decades, with the introduction of specialist units for the treatment of severely burnt patients, a volume of literature on psychological aspects of burns has accumulated, containing anecdote and opinion as well as research of varying quality. This literature is reviewed under three headings: epidemiology and prevention; reactions following acute hospitalisation; and long-term outcomes. Adverse personal, health, and social factors may predispose to burn injury. In hospital, the psychological course of the patient proceeds in stages that can be related to the well-recognised reactions to loss and overwhelming stress, modified by the major physiological insult. Reactions of family and staff are of great significance. In the longer term, rehabilitation prospects are generally good, although recovery may be complicated by a gradually subsiding level of neurotic symptoms and relationship difficulties.