When Is Being Sad on the Burn Unit Pathological? Differential Diagnosis of Demoralization, Adjustment Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder in Burn Survivors

Many burn survivors have pre-existing psychiatric conditions or develop psychological symptoms over the course of their hospital stay. Patients often present with low mood and neurovegetative which can be conceptualized as demoralization, adjustment disorder, major depressive disorder. We review literature on these syndromes in three cases that highlight continuum for patients who depression following a injury. discuss clinical challenges differentiating well psychotherapeutic psychopharmacologic considerations recommendations.