Impact of visible differences on intimacy: the role of health professionals

Abstract

Appearance altering conditions can have a negative impact upon an individual's psychosocial wellbeing. This may extend into the important sphere of intimate relationships and can affect existing relationships as well as the formation of new partnerships. Nick Sharratt from the Centre for Appearance Research discusses why this is a topic that is often not discussed with healthcare professionals and offers some initial suggestions as to how this may be redressed. Four Summarising Key Points1. Visible differences can impact upon an individual's psychological health and well-being. 2. Those with a visible difference may experience difficulties and concerns both in forming new intimate relationships and within the context of more established intimate relationships. 3. These concerns and difficulties are often not discussed between healthcare professionals and patients. 4. There are several small steps that may be taken in order to incorporate a consideration of the potential impact of visible differences upon intimacy into the provision of comprehensive, patient centred care. Four Key Words1. Psychology 2. Appearance 3.Visible difference / disfigurement 4. Intimacy AbstractLooking different from the norm can be challenging in a society that attributes such importance to the way we look and subscribes to the poet's contention that "the good is always beautiful, the beautiful is good" (John Greenleaf Whittier 'Garden'). This article considers what we mean by the term 'visible difference,' looks at the potential impact of living with a visible difference and then examines this specifically within the context of intimacy and close relationships between actual or potential romantic partners. It goes on to contemplate what we know about the role of healthcare professionals and offers some initial suggestions as to what can be done for patients with visible differences who may have concerns about intimacy. It is hoped that the suggestions provided are capable of being incorporated into interactions with patients despite subsisting limitations on time and resources. Article

The Principal's Leadership Role in Creating a Student Literacy Culture

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“…The psychosocial difficulties with which they are sometimes associated, such as social anxiety, reduced quality of life and social avoidance have previously been introduced in these pages (see Sharratt, 2015). The capacity for visible differences to adversely affect an individual's intimate relationships and sexual activity were also discussed.…”

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Patient expectations of surgery outcomes for appearance-altering eye conditions

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