Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate preexisting psychiatric disorders in self‐immolation patients. In a case–control study, 30 consecutive cases of deliberate self‐inflicted burns, admitted to the regional burn center, were compared with 30 controls. Mental disorders were assessed via detailed clinical interview. Descriptive data revealed that 67% of self‐immolation patients had adjustment disorder (all female), 10% drug and alcohol abuse/dependence (all male), 7% dysthymia, 3% major depression, 3% anorexia nervosa, 3% primary insomnia, 7% borderline personality disorder (50% male), 7% depressive personality disorder (100% female), and 3% antisocial personality disorder. In bivariate comparisons, adjustment disorders emerged as related to risk of self‐immolation (odds ratio = 13.00). This study suggests that adjustment disorder is a risk factor for self‐immolation. As a result, it has been suggested that increasing education about problem‐solving approaches, and coping skills for females and at‐risk groups are appropriate prevention programs and strategies in Iranian communities.