The Role of Mental Health Professionals in Burn Centers and Units

Serious burn injuries are devastating and traumatic, with marked physical consequences and disfigurement that predispose individuals to long-term mental disorders. Burns result in significant distress and psychiatric symptoms. They cause impairment in physical, psychological and social functional domains. A multidimensional approach to the care of the burn patient is essential to properly address disability and multibordities. This chapter reviews the scientific literature looking at the close relationship between psychiatric disorders and burns. Psychiatric disorders could contribute to burn injuries. Pre-existing psychiatric disorders are common in burn patients and often contribute as etiologic factors, as in the case of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic and stressor related disorders associated with self-immolation. Conversely, burns are a risk factor for the development of certain mental disorders. Pre-existing psychiatric disorders correlate with delayed wound healing, an increase of surgical operations, prolonged hospitalizations, and slower rehabilitation. A multidisciplinary approach to burn care, incorporating psychiatric services and mental health professionals, might be beneficial and could potentially improve patient outcomes.