The Emotional Impact of Pressure Ulcers

By: Elena Merchand

Pressure Ulcer s can impact an

individual’s life in many different ways.

Apart from experiencing a great amount

of pain, the quality of life (QoL) for an

individual with a pressure ulcer (PU) can

be depleted immensely depending on

how their QoL is defined, which will

vary from person to person.

What Are Pressure Ulcers?

Pressure Ulcers can impact an

individual’s life in many different

ways. Apart from experiencing a

great amount of pain, the quality

of life (QoL) for an individual

with a pressure ulcer (PU) can be

depleted immensely depending on

how their QoL is defined, which

will vary from person to person.

Though QoL is a vague

term, individuals with a

PU wi l l incorporate

pain, financial costs,

personal resources, and

how the PU af fect s

one’s daily activities in

order to describe their

overall QoL.

According to an article published in

Wounds Research Journal, author

Diane K. Langemo describes the

emotional impact of having a PU in

depth and detail. Langemo notes,

“Overall QoL encompasses 4 primary

domains o f we l l -be ing and

functioning. The domains include

phys ica l and occupat iona l ,

p sychosoc ia l , soc ia l , and

somatic,” (Quality of Life and Pressure

Ulcers: What is the Impact?).

She goes on to describe the overall

impact that wounds can have on an

individual , stating that “having a

wound implies imperfection, which

cer ta in l y impacts phys ica l and

emotional vulnerability,” (Quality of

Life and Pressure Ulcers: What is the

Impact?) thus, implying that having a

wound can lead to extensive emotional

pain and trauma, making an individual’s

perception of their quality of life quite

poor.

Later on in the a r t i c l e ,

Langemo goes on to explain

that most individuals who

have pressure ulcers view

their wound as a way of life,

accentuating how difficult is it

to acquire patience and to

deal with being immobile

throughout the hea l ing

process.

Living with a PU is usual l y

associated with social isolation,

negat ive body ima ge , and

financial deficits from health

care bills that collectively create

a negative emotional impact on

individuals. Langemo describes

an eight subject qualitative

study that focused on these

negative emotions, saying.

Subjects reported that being

alone in their rooms much of the

time had significant negative

impact on their lives. One male

subject noted, “I love working

and being with people. I am a

people person. Don’t keep me

isolated or I’d die.” One subject

who l i ved 4 hours f rom the

hospital particularly expressed

missing contact with family…

While the HRQoL effects related to a variety of ulcers are documented, research

focused on the impact on individuals with PUs is limited, and further research is

necessary,” (Quality of Life and Pressure Ulcers: What is the Impact?). Until that

research has been recognized and improved upon, it is important to understand the

emotional impact that pressure ulcers have on individuals and focus on how we can

improve their everyday quality of life.

One 52-year-old subject with

parap leg ia noted , “ I can

remember l y ing in the

hospital….looking at the paint on

the wall. And I could tell you

how many little bubbles were in

that particular spot. I memorized

them to keep f rom go ing

mad . ” (Qual i ty o f L i fe and

Pressure Ulcers: What is the

Impact?)

Individuals with PUs often note that

their wounds control their lives,

from the literal aspects of living

(sleeping in a special bed, clothing

limitations, fatigue) to underlying

pessimistic emotions (poor body

image, depression, embarrassment).

Langemo concludes her article,

say ing “Hea l th - re lated QoL i s

impacted physically, psychologically,

emotionally, spiritually, socially, and

financially.