Scarred Self- Reflections on Burns

This paper presents an in-depth study illustrating how the experience of burns may have a debilitating effect of survivor’s sense of self from psychological, social and cultural perspective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 patients and the resultant transcripts were subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Analysis focused on lived experiences of burn patients during their treatment process in OPD as well as in the ward in an intensive burn care unit. Pain which forms a central theme in burns was located not only in its physicality but was looked at through the experience of complex emotions such as shame and guilt. Negative impact of burns, interconnection of physical and psychological self, movement of life and burns as a means of redressal were some of the prominent themes that emerged. An understanding of body emerged in the meaning making process that unveiled some of the problems faced by burn patients which has a deep connection to the physical perception of their selves as well as to their social and relational selves. The study highlights the value of exploring the subjective experience of burn survivors and the importance of multi-disciplinary team approach for burns treatment.