In a 10-yr retrospective survey of 2216 admissions to a regional burn centre, 15 patients had self-inflicted burn wounds. Nine of these had a documented history of psychiatric problems. Psychiatric assessments were obtained for 12 patients immediately after self-immolation – all but one had a major psychiatric disorder. It was found that fewer than half of the subjects actually intended to kill themselves; equally important was the theme of trying to control internal psychotic states. (14 refs.)