Pyromania

Pyromania

Pyromania is a rare, pathological disorder characterized by intentional and repeated fire setting. People with pyromania are deeply fascinated by fire and related paraphernalia. They may experience feelings of satisfaction or a release of built-up inner tension or anxiety once a fire is set.

Symptoms

According to the DSM-5, the diagnostic criteria for pyromania include:

• an attraction to fire
• purposely setting more than one fire
• feeling excited or tense just before setting a fire, and feeling relief or pleasure in the aftermath of a fire 
• the fire setting is not done for monetary gain or the improvement of one's circumstances, for ideological reasons, to cover up criminal activity, to express anger or revenge, or as a result of a delusion, a hallucination, or impaired judgment
• the fire setting is not better explained by a manic episode or other disorder

Features

1.     The essential feature of pyromania is the presence of multiple episodes of deliberate and purposeful fire setting

2.     Individuals with this disorder experience tension or affective arousal before setting a fire

3.     There is a fascination with, interest in, curiosity about, or attraction to fire and its situational contexts

4.     The fire setting is not done for monetary gain, as an expression of socio-political ideology, to conceal criminal activity, to express anger or vengeance, to improve one's living circumstances, or in response to a delusion or a hallucination

Causes

Although the exact cause is unknown, pyromania is often associated with other psychiatric conditions, such as mood disorders or substance use disorders. Because it is a rare condition, not many studies have investigated the roots of pyromania. Some research has likened pyromania and other impulse-control disorders to behavioral addictions; some experts have suggested that there may be a genetic link between such conditions.

Treatment

Due to the high risk of injury, death, damage to property, and incarceration, it is important to seek treatment immediately upon diagnosis. Pyromania that starts in childhood usually continues into adulthood and does not stop on its own or as a result of any type of punishment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, among other therapies, can be used to treat pyromania. The affected individual can learn to pay attention to feelings of tension that build up, figure out what causes the urge, understand the effects, and find new ways to release feelings.
Someone with pyromania may also benefit from fire safety lessons and exposure to people who have suffered burns from fires. Family counseling can help the individual’s family better understand the disorder and learn how to maintain a safe home environment.