Beyond burns: illuminating the unseen battle within – navigating the psychological fallout

Burn injuries are more than just physical wounds; they leave an indelible mark on the mind, often hidden from plain sight1. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burns result in over 7. 1 million injuries and more than 250 000 deaths annually, with the majority of this burden borne by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) 2. The toll extends beyond the personal pain, affecting families and straining national economies. This article aims to shed light on the psychological aftermath of burn injuries, a facet often overshadowed by the visible scars. The WHO identifies burns as injuries caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, friction, or radiation3. The Eastern Mediterranean, South East Asian, and African regions carry the heaviest burden of burn injuries. In Africa alone, nearly two-thirds of the total burden is shouldered. The economic toll is substantial, with burn care costs reaching millions of dollars. In the United States, approximately US 211 million is spent on burn patient care, while estimates from South Africa indicate a contribution of approximately US 26 million4. Surviving a severe burn is a harrowing experience, not just physically but mentally. With increased survival rates, the psychological toll has become more pronounced. Post-traumatic stress (PTS) and depression rates are significant globally, affecting 5. 6% and 4. 4% of the population, respectively, following a traumatic event5. Burn survivors report PTS symptoms ranging from 9 to 45%, with 34% experiencing depression symptoms in the year following the injury. The emotional trauma often surpasses the physical, impacting quality of life, PTS, and depression outcomes6. Postburn, individuals grapple with more than just physical healing; they face the potential onslaught of PTS and depression. PTS is characterized by recurrent re-experiencing of the traumatic event, avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, emotional numbing, and persistent hyperarousal symptoms. Pain, a common postburn symptom, emerges as a significant predictor of PTS and depression. The challenge is compounded in LMICs like Tanzania, where limited resources and healthcare professionals exacerbate the struggle for psychological rehabilitation. In Tanzania, as in many other LMICs, the lack of facilities for continuing care and psychological rehabilitation leaves burn survivors and their families to navigate the mental health aftermath on their own7. Chronic shortages of resources and healthcare professionals compound the challenges, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to burn care that includes mental health support8. Beyond the visible scars, burn survivors wage an unseen battle against psychological trauma. 'Beyond burns: illuminating the unseen battle within – navigating the psychological fallout' emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing the psychological impact of burn injuries. In both high-income countries and LMICs like Tanzania, fostering awareness, allocating resources, and integrating mental health support into burn care are crucial steps toward healing the seen and unseen wounds of burn survivors. Ethics approval Not applicable. Consent Not applicable. Sources of funding Not applicable. Author contribution W. N.: conceptualization and writing. Conflicts of interest disclosure There are no conflicts of interest. Research registration unique identifying number (UIN) Not applicable. Guarantor William Nkenguye. Provenance and peer review Yes. Data availability statement Not applicable.