A "hateful epileptic" patient in the burn unit.
An interdisciplinary team discussed the case of a 31-year-old woman who sustained second- and third-degree burns while having a seizure. She was a difficult patient who elicited a good deal of negative feelings from the staff. The interview raised the possibility of this burn having been a suicidal attempt, and the subsequent discussion centered on effective ways of relating to her pathologic defense mechanisms. The need for a comprehensive approach that took into consideration the biologic, psychologic, and social aspects of her needs became evident to all the participants.
Wurzberger
B
B
Glens Falls Hospital, New York 12801.
Levy
N B
NB
D000328:Adult; D000786:Anger; D002053:Burn Units; D002056:Burns / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000523:psychology; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012803:Sick Role; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology