Christopher Burney

Christopher Burney was captured by the Germans in World War 2 where he spent 18 months in solitary confinement.  He was forced to endure physical and emotional abuse, extreme weather conditions, and provided very little food.  When provided the opportunity for communication “…I found that the muscles of my mouth had become stiff and unwilling and that the thoughts and questions I had wanted to express became ridiculous when I turned them into words” (Fromm-Reichmann 322).

In order to maintain mental equilibrium while imprisoned, Burney created a strict systematic routine for himself.  His day was divided into fixed periods.  He would manicure his fingernails with a splinter of wood, perform physical exercises, and pace his cell.  He received one meal a day and it was divided into an afternoon and evening ration.  When he once was allowed outside for exercise he found a snail and brought it back to his cell for company.

His routine was so strict that when faced with even small, minute changes his sanity was threatened.  Examples include days when he received his soup before his bread or vice versa.  Even one instance when he was moved to a new cell.  These changes threatened his sanity by compromising his routine — the only thing able to distract him from his reality.

Burney’s decision to become active in his isolation proved to be an important factor in protecting his psychological health.  Because his opportunity for social contact was limited he had a choice to either remain passive or get busy.  Instead of ruminating he did the best with what he was able and in the long run preserved his health long enough to be liberated.