Guilt And Anger
Since a thought can produce a 'burn' (see above), continued feelings of guilt or anger can prevent healing, and should be dealt with during emotional countershock (Mattson, l975) a day or two after admission. If the patient caused it and is feeling guilty, I stress the fact that the injury was unintentional, he has been punished enough and has learned a lesson he will never forget or repeat. If someone else is at fault and he is angry, I point out that our first priority is healing. Getting well does not interfere with his legal rights, and they come later. If it was an accident, I ask my patient to forgive the person of evil intent, even though planning to pursue legal redress. There is no place for anger at his laughing place, and he is instructed to postpone that feeling until healing has occurred.
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