What Is Pyromania? Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment
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Pyromania is a rare mental health disorder characterized by a fascination with fire and lighting fires. Those who experience this type of impulse control disorder tend to compulsively set fires, usually in an attempt to relieve anxiety or other kinds of tension.
While the majority of people who meet the criteria for pyromania do not want to hurt anyone or damage property, this risk is inherent in the way this disorder manifests via firesetting behaviors. That’s why getting treatment for pyromania is vital for keeping the individual and the people and property they come in contact with safe from the negative consequences of purposeful fire-setting. Read on to learn more about this rare disorder, including the causes, symptoms, and how pyromania is treated.
What is the difference between pyromania and arson?
Because there are many common misconceptions about pyromania, it’s useful to begin with an explanation of what it is and is not. At its core, it’s an impulse disorder marked by a compulsive need to set fires in order to stave off or release some kind of tension.
Pyromania is very rare, estimated to affect 1% of adults and between 2.4% and 3.5% of adolescents.
Someone who commits arson and someone with pyromania are not inherently the same. An arsonist is someone who deliberately sets fire to buildings, forests, or other places or property, and they will actively seek out opportunities to do so. Someone with pyromania, in contrast, typically does not want to damage property but feels a compulsive need to set fires nevertheless. The key difference between the two is the intent of setting fire to something rather than action.
Arsonists may set fires for a number of different reasons, such as revenge or financial gain, and can be charged with a felony as a consequence of their actions. A person with pyromania could also have to face consequences for their actions if they legally qualify as arson, but their clinical diagnosis could make a difference in sentencing.
It’s also worth noting that in separate studies of 113 arsonists, 191 state hospital patients with a history of fire setting, and 27 female fire-setters—331 individuals with a history of fire setting in total—none were diagnosed with pyromania by forensic mental health experts. These findings were published in the American Journal of Psychiatry and relied on information from the American Psychiatric Association Publishing Association. They support just how rare the disorder is and could also suggest that those with this mental illness don’t commonly end up engaging in criminal acts as a result, though more research would be needed to accurately draw such conclusions. (Mental health research is constantly evolving, so older sources may contain information or theories that have been reevaluated since their original publication date.)
Risk factors for developing pyromania
Pyromania is often associated with conduct disorder, particularly in younger individuals, but exactly what causes pyromania is not yet fully understood. However, research has uncovered a set of risk factors that may predispose an individual to develop this disorder. These include:
Being male
Having below-average intelligence
Environmental factors like growing up in harsh or frustrating circumstances
A history of parental neglect, childhood abuse, or trauma-related mental disorders*
A genetic component such as family history of pyromania or other mental health disorders and mood disorders
A comorbid mental health disorder (anxiety, depression, a learning disorder, a substance use disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, other disruptive impulse control and conduct disorders)
An imbalance of certain brain chemicals
Ultimately, the reason an individual might develop pyromania depends on several factors that are not fully understood by modern research.
Signs and symptoms of pyromania
There is a fairly clear set of signs and symptoms that can indicate pyromania. Pyromania may only apply if the individual’s behaviors can’t be explained by another psychiatric disorder or other motivations (political beliefs, monetary gain, to cover up a crime, impaired judgment due to substance use).
Regularly burning things
The first symptom is deliberately setting fires on more than one occasion. These multiple episodes in which the individual deliberately starts fires can take a variety of different forms. Someone with pyromania may often burn holes in clothing or rugs or may burn paper or other materials in trash cans or over the stove, for example—especially at first. They might also have burn marks and scars on their bodies as a result of these behaviors. They may hoard matches and lighters, possibly playing with them regularly or lighting them just to watch the flames. It’s worth noting that pyromania can escalate over time, so a person with this disorder may start by lighting matches but not setting anything on fire at first. Over time, they may be drawn to setting small objects on fire, then larger ones, and so on.
Specific feelings related to fire-setting
Again, intention is what often separates pyromania from pure arson or other behaviors that do not qualify as mental health disorders. Someone with this condition will typically be tense and/or excitable before setting a fire and will usually experience pleasure or relief afterward. This could range from relief to sexual gratification depending on the individual. This release typically constitutes their main motivation for burning things in any capacity, rather than the clear desire to harm others or damage property.
An attraction to all things fire-related
An individual with pyromania may also be fascinated with other fires—even those that they don’t set themselves. They may be drawn to watching them either in person or on TV and hearing about fires that happen in other places. They might enjoy talking about fires and may seek out people who are like-minded or who work in fire-related jobs. They may be attracted to the firefighting industry in particular, and it’s not uncommon for them to spend time at fire departments.
Treatment for impulse control disorders like pyromania
Treatment may involve cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps patients understand and manage their urges while addressing underlying issues contributing to their behavior.
Seeking treatment for this disorder is typically important because of the way an individual’s symptoms have the potential to harm others. The symptoms of impulse disorders like pyromania can be difficult to manage without professional help, which is why some form of psychotherapy is typically a recommended treatment for individuals with this condition. A focus of therapy will often be learning to identify and redirect the urge to start a fire into something safe and productive. It might also involve more specialized methods such as covert sensitization. Learning about the stressors that may trigger this impulse and how to manage them can be a part of this process. Instilling problem-solving skills can also be instrumental in helping an individual manage their impulses and effectively redirect them when they do occur.
Connecting with a therapist
Confiding in someone about impulses you feel you have no control over can seem intimidating. However, it’s the job of a trained therapist to provide clients with a safe, nonjudgmental space where they can be honest about their feelings and get unbiased, caring support and guidance. Some people find that connecting with a therapist virtually can help them feel more at ease, making it more comfortable for them to open up. Online therapy is often a more available option as well for those who may have trouble locating a provider in their area or are unable to travel to and from appointments.
Research suggests that online therapy can constitute an effective treatment delivery modality, which means that you can typically choose between that option and in-person sessions based on what feels right for you. If you’re interested in connecting with a provider virtually, you might consider an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. After a sign-up process, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging to address the challenges you may be facing.
Takeaway
What are the symptoms of pyromania?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), the key symptoms of pyromania are:
- Setting fires on purpose more than once
- A feeling of tension or excitement leading up to fire-setting
- A sense of relief or pleasure from setting and watching fires, or from seeing the effects of fire
- An intense interest in, obsession with, or curiosity about fires, as well as things associated with fire (such as lighters or burns)
For someone to be diagnosed with pyromania, these symptoms can’t be related to other mental disorders. The individual in question must also start fires purely for pleasure, relief, or gratification — not because they’re hoping to gain something or get revenge on someone.
People with pyromania often pay lots of attention to fire and fire-related things. They may show up to watch whenever there’s a building on fire in their neighborhood, or they might try to get to make friends with fire marshals or firefighters. They could also be prone to other impulsive behaviors such as shoplifting or alcohol abuse.
Who is affected by pyromania?
Few modern studies have directly assessed the prevalence and demographic characteristics of people with pyromania. A 2010 survey found that about 1% of the U.S. population had a history of setting fires, but they did not directly sample for a diagnosis of pyromania. Many of the individuals surveyed had tendencies more strongly associated with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) than pyromania.
Pyromania seems to be far more common in men than women. In the study mentioned above, more than 80% of repeated fire-setters were male. This behavior also seems to be much more common in white individuals with at least a college level of education and a higher-than-average income.
Fire-setting behavior often begins in adolescence but can persist into adulthood. Though some children may show signs of pyromania, the disorder is usually not diagnosed before age 18. Most children who set fires do so out of curiosity and their behavior stops as they get older.
Pyromania also seems to be associated with a variety of other kinds of mental illnesses, including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, substance abuse, and other impulse control disorders. However, these conclusions are tentative, since there is little research on the subject and most of it is more than a decade old.
Is pyromania caused by trauma?
Very little is currently known about the exact cause of pyromania. Some have suggested that it may be related to a history of trauma or abuse.
Fire-setting does seem to be more common in children and adolescents who have experienced childhood maltreatment. On the other hand, these individuals were also significantly more likely to set fires out of anger, rather than for the sense of relief or excitement that motivates people with pyromania.
What triggers pyromania?
There’s not currently an accepted understanding of how pyromania initially develops. Researchers believe that multiple factors contribute to impulse control disorders like pyromania, including genetics, disruptive family environments, and differences in brain structure.
As noted above, trauma might trigger the onset of pyromania in some cases. Studies indicate that post-traumatic distress disorder (PTSD) may sometimes be associated with impulsive and destructive behaviors. Researchers have suggested that an impulsive act such as self-harm or fire-setting could be an attempt to reduce or release negative emotions in people with difficulty managing their feelings.
For those with pyromania, feelings of discontentment, boredom, or anxiety could be immediate triggers that prompt fire-setting behavior.
Why do people with high psychopathy like fire?
Psychological studies have found that people with high levels of a personality trait known as “psychopathy” may be more likely to have a strong interest in fire. According to the personality theory known as the “Dark Tetrad”, psychopathy involves emotional callousness, lack of empathy, and a tendency toward impulsive, antisocial, and often violent behavior. Individuals high in psychopathy appear to be more prone to both fire-setting and a general fascination with fire.
This attraction may be related to a tendency toward thrill-seeking. Individuals high in psychopathy often have a low tolerance for boredom and a tendency to behave impulsively when bored. Starting fires might satisfy an urge for excitement or danger. This person might also enjoy the sensation of control, including the feeling that they’re “controlling” a dangerous substance like fire.
Can pyromania be cured?
There is not currently an FDA-approved treatment for pyromania, and the urge to set fires may persist throughout an individual’s life. However, it’s still possible to manage this condition and significantly reduce the symptoms.
Mental health professionals typically treat pyromania and other impulse control disorders with individual psychotherapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), as well as family and community therapy modalities like multisystemic therapy (MST). A person with pyromania may also be able to work on correcting their potentially destructive behavior with strategies like:
- Learning what tends to trigger the impulse to set fires
- Avoiding potentially triggering situations
- Finding constructive hobbies to fill their free time
- Practicing healthy ways to process and express negative emotions
- Engaging in relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation
- Getting friends or family to hold them accountable
- Limiting intake of alcohol or other substances that could inhibit self-control
How rare is pyromania?
Pyromania seems to be an extremely rare condition. Though up-to-date studies are lacking, the most recent surveys suggest that only about 1% of people have a history of chronic fire-setting. Since not all people who start fires repeatedly have pyromania, the actual prevalence of this condition is likely even lower.
Why are people with pyromania mostly male?
Since so little is known about the causes of pyromania, it’s difficult to say for certain why it appears more frequently in males. It may be partially explained by the fact that impulsive behavior in general seems to be more prevalent among men than women. As a result, they may be more susceptible to impulse control disorders like pyromania.
Researchers have proposed several theories to account for this apparent sex difference. Women show better performance on tasks like delayed gratification, and they seem to place more value on rewards that they have to wait for than men do.
Some studies have also suggested that male individuals show higher levels of reactivity in the dopamine-controlled reward system, which could lead to a greater tendency toward seeking novel, exciting, or risky situations. On the other hand, evidence for consistent brain differences between genders is not yet very robust.
What is the difference between arson and pyromania?
Arson is a term from the criminal justice system, meaning the deliberate setting of fires. Pyromania is a psychological term for someone with a pathological urge to start fires. One describes a behavior, while the other is a medical condition.
Despite common misconceptions, the available evidence suggests that very few arsonists have pyromania. Several studies of convicted arsonists found that none of them met the diagnostic criteria for this disorder, while none have found rates over 25%. As discussed above, this condition is extremely rare in the general population.
Who first discovered pyromania?
The first description of pyromania in medical literature came from a psychiatrist named Jean-Etienne Esquirol. In 1838, he listed a condition he called “Incendiary monomania” in his textbook Mental Illnesses, considered from medical, hygienic, and medico-legal perspectives. He believed it to be primarily a disorder of the brain caused by undefined “lesions”.
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