Visibly Different: Coping with Disfigurement

There are over 400,000 people in Great Britain with a scar, blemish or deformity which may severely affect their ability to lead a normal life. This practical but sensitive book explores the complex and often distressing problems and issues that result from looking `visibly different', and highlights a range of approaches which can enhance the care and support offered by all members of the professional team.



The opening section of the book gives a flavour of the experience of having a disfigurement. It demonstrates the human experiences of being significantly visibly different compared with the norm, a norm which is either defined for us by the culture in which we live, or by ourselves.



Important characteristics:



· addresses a neglected but commonly occurring problem



· includes contributions from people who are themselves visibly different



· opens up the experiences of, and offers guidance to professionals in a range of disciplines working in this area



· reviews research in an accessible style



· outlines and discusses the importance of appropriate service provision



Health care professionals in a range of disciplines, students, families of the disfigured and the disfigured themselves will all find this very readable book of enormous benefit. It is an authoritative and reassuring resource with an innovative approach.

Bradbury, Eileen, BSocFc PGCE DipCOT PhD, Clinical Counsellor in Plastic Surgery, Lecturer in Health Psychology, University of Manchester, UK.
CARR, Tony, BSc PhD DClinPsychol CPsychol AFBPsS, Head of Clinical Teaching Unit, University of Plymouth, UK.
LANSDOWN, RICHARD, PhD FBPsS CPsychol, Honorary Senior Lecturer, Institute of Child Health, University of London, UK.
PARTRIDGE, James, MA, Oxon MSc, Director of Changing Faces, London. Visiting Research Fellow, University of the West of England, UK.
RUMSEY, Nichola, BA, Hons MSc PhD CPsychol, Principal Lecturer in Psychology, University of the West of England, UK.