Pyromania is a very rare disorder. This disorder is more common among men than women, and research suggests that only 1% of the population is affected by this disorder. Pyromania is not often diagnosed until the age of 18, though pyromania symptoms may start showing up around puberty. Only one report suggests this disorder can occur as early as age 3.
Pyromania is a serious chronic mental health condition involving intentionally and repetitively setting fires and doing so uncontrollably. People with disorders feel unable to stop the behavior. Setting a fire releases inner tension or anxiety and gives the person a rush of pleasure and relief. Pyromania is a very rare disorder. However, it is unknown how many people in the general population face this population, as most of the studies on this disorder focused on those in prison.
The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual suggest that pyromania is in the section of disruptive, impulse−control, and conduct disorders. The main characteristic of pyromania is the presence of multiple episodes of the deliberate and purposeful setting of a fire. In addition, these individuals facing pyromania face a phase of tension and affective arousal before setting a fire. There are some other symptoms such as −
A fascination with fire involves interest, curiosity, and attraction to fire and fire−setting equipment.
Seeing fires in the neighborhood, setting off false alarms, or gaining satisfaction from institutions, equipment, and personnel with fire.
Spending time at a local fire department, setting fires to be affiliated with the fire department, or becoming a firefighter.
Experiencing pleasure, gratifications, or relief when starting a fire, witnessing the effects, and participating in the aftermath.
An individual with pyromania does not set fire to gain anything. They do not try to conceal criminal activity, gain vengeance, or improve their living situation by setting a fire.
It is not clear what exactly causes pyromania. There are several reasons that people with the disorder set for, including −
To relieve anxiety or stress
For Pleasure
For sexual gratification, but this t=is very rare
Some studies suggest that several factors may contribute to the development of pyromania and that the interaction of environmental and biological factors may play a vital role. Some factors are −
Trauma − Children who have faced some traumatic experience like abuse or neglect and impulse control disorder are most common among them.
Family History − Pyromania and other impulse control disorder are most common in people whose relatives have mood disorders. This could be because of a genetic link or the presence of people with this disorder in the home environment.
Other Biological Factors − According to some research, people with pyromania may have different chemistry and structure of the brain.
Social and Economic Factors − Pyromania can be caused within the people due to the lower socioeconomic level, exposition to community violence, and similar socioeconomic stressors.
Triggering Factor − Sometimes, triggers such as a thought or a drug can cause changes in the brain chemicals of the individuals. This may lead to setting up a fire to feel good and relieved.
Pyromania is rarely diagnosed because of the narrow diagnostic criteria and lack of research. It is also often hard to diagnose because someone would need to seek help, and many people do not. In most cases, pyromania can only be diagnosed after a person goes to a doctor to treat a different condition like mood disorder such as depression. During treating the other condition, a mental health professional, i.e., a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, may seek out information about personal history or symptoms the person worries about. From that, pyromania may be diagnosed. From that situation, they can further evaluate to see whether the person fits the diagnostic criteria for pyromania.
Pyromania can be treated with a multidisciplinary approach. The treatment procedures involve −
Therapy for Pyromania − Therapy is always best in curing several mental illnesses, and certain types of therapy can be more effective than other types of particular symptoms and conditions. The available reports of the studies on pyromania suggest that cognitive behavioral therapy may help people with this condition. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured therapy that encourages positive changes in thinking and behavior and also encourages the use of healthy coping skills. Some health professionals also believe that teaching relaxation, emotion regulation skills, and techniques for controlling impulses can help people with pyromania. Other disorders like impulsive and compulsive ones are treatable by behavioral therapy and exposure and response prevention treatments that focus on helping a person experience their urges without acting on them. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether these treatments are effective enough for an individual facing pyromania.
Medication − Pyromania can be cured sometimes by medication as well. Medicine in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy or another form of therapy can also help treat pyromania. As there is no particular medicine for curing pyromania, some doctors suggest improvement in patients who are prescribed the following medicines −
Antidepressant medications
Mood stabilizers
Antipsychotic medications
Anti−seizure medications
Sedatives i.e., Benzodiazepines
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that pyromania is a kind of impulse control disorder in which an individual cannot be resisted to start firing. Individuals perform this intentionally and uncontrollably. This disorder has symptoms like fascination with firing, satisfaction in firing, spending time in fire stations, and becoming firefighters. These symptoms can be caused due to triggers, trauma, family history, and many more. Medications and therapies can treat this disorder, and these treatments can be provided by the health care professional only after proper diagnosis.
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