PROFILES AND TREATMENT OF ATTEMPTED-SUICIDE BY SELF-IMMOLATION

Self-immolation represented 3.9% of patients (N = 7) at this burn unit over the last 18 months. Charts of these patients were retrospectivel y reviewed for demographics, hospital course, and discharge plan. All had a major psychiatric diagnosis, although no clear patient profile e merged. These patients required complex individualized care, but the p sychosocial treatment challenges had many common elements. Psychiatric aspects of these patients proved problematic Jar the burn unit staff, Physical sequelae of the bums raised problems in arranging subsequent psychiatric treatment. Follow-up information was obtained by brief te lephone interviews. The survivors appeared to be functioning well give n their psychopathology and physical sequelae. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien ce Inc.