[Psychological aspects of facial trauma]

The anatomic lesions resulting from facial trauma have serious psychological implications. The topic can be divided into three parts. First, the psychological trauma begins by a simple conception of the psychic structure. Secondly, an external crust protects an inner structure whose role is to maintain a vital function and a pleasure function. Thirdly, the face materializes these two functions. Facial trauma totally disrupts the external crust with staggering psychic implications, releasing the archaic process of survival. After this initial event, a second step is required where the trauma is interiorized leading to a highly variable clinical course which involves recovery, disturbed memory, and a depressive syndrome. The clinical manifestations and possibilities for preventing the post-commotional syndrome are also discussed together with the psychological disorders implied with facial traumatism: disorders linked to the perception of the face, esthetic damage, neurological and sensorial disorders. The course is basically linked to the personality of the patient.