PSYCHIATRIC-CONSULTATION AND POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER IN BURNED PATIENTS

We report a prospective study of 65 burned inpatients referred for psy chiatric consultation. All of the subjects in the sample were evaluate d by a structured questionnaire and clinical interview. Reasons for re ferral were: suicide attempt by burning (n = 7), substance dependence (n = 8) and behaviour disturbed by coping difficulties (n = 50). The d iagnoses were adjustment disorder (n = 40), alcohol dependence (n = 7) , opiate dependence (n = 2), dementia (n = 3), depressive disorder (n = 5), schizophrenia (n = 1), delirium (n = 1) and post-traumatic stres s disorder (n = 5). Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD ) were specifically and carefully evaluated. There were no significant differences between patients with PTSD and adjustment disorder for se verity and type of burn injuries. We conclude that PTSD is apt to be m issed by the medical staff of burn units.