Absolutely, it can. For example, an adult burn victim whose face is permanently disfigured may feel very self-conscious going out with the family. He or she may feel anxiety about frightening his children’s friends or others.

What’s so damaging and unjust about being a burn injury victim is if you have a prominent scar and/or disfigurement on your face and you come into contact with someone who has never met you before, inevitably the first thing on their mind when they meet you is, “How did that happen?”

It’s hard to get around that.

Learn more about brain injuries.