The beauty of human skin has been a muse for poetry for centuries. Its maintenance and exhibition devours the time and energies of thousands of its devotees the world over. Billions of currency notes exchange hands to bring a smooth and glowing skin to women and men alike.
Imagine then, the devastation to a person who has lost his or her face or other exposed part to a burn.
Even people who suffer from life-threatening diseases like a heart condition or cancer may be able to hide their circumstances from the world around them, but how do you conceal a disfigured face without making it obvious to those with you? In such a situation, the afflicted person is more pained in his mind than in his body.
Sometimes burns in normally covered areas may become an eyesore- in a swimsuit or similarly revealing garb. The burn may be a turn-off for intimate partners or the burnt person himself may feel too conscious to achieve intimacy. This can put severe stress on relationships. Anxiety, lowered levels of esteem and depression are common diagnoses in patients with disfiguring burns. In patients with major burns however, depression may become a primary concern.
According to an article in General Hospital Psychiatry, a study of burns patients showed that 46% of those surveyed had symptoms of mild, moderate or severe depression. Those most affected were female since culturally a large value is attached to their being attractive or making efforts to be attractive to the opposite sex. In patients with severe burns, the burns unit where they are being treated may be the trigger for their depression. This may happen because the comfort and psychological support from one’s loved ones is restricted for fear of infection to the patient. The pity and the gloomy reaction from friends and family will only worsen such a mental condition.
People with obviously burnt skin take time to adjust to their new situation. Most of them will recover to an extent if not fully. All they need is the unwavering support of those around them, including the treating physician. A good way to assess their progress is to observe them for interest in new hobbies or activities and catch the situations where they seem to be withdrawing from them. A withdrawal may mean a worsening of their depression.
It is common for passers-by to wince involuntarily when they see a person who has severe burns. One may not be able to change their unfair response to someone’s sad condition. This makes it all the more important to maintain the patient’s self-esteem so that his life can go on in spite of the awkward questions and glances that may come his way. Good support from one’s psychologist/psychiatrist from the very beginning can do a lot in making a burn victim happy in his new life. Where warranted, medication may play an important role too. Nowadays, dermatologists are guiding their patients to professional make-up artists who can help camouflage the burns as far as aesthetically possible.
To conclude, depression continues to be a concern for burns victims. There are however, means available to reduce their suffering in most cases. For others more severely affected, psychological support is the mainstay of therapy.
Tags: cancer Depression depression clutches heart condition human skin Mental health
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