Puramania

What is Pyromania?

Pyromania is a type of impulse control disorder, along with kleptomania, intermittent explosive disorder and others. There are specific symptoms that separate pyromaniacs from those who start fires for criminal purposes or due to emotional motivations not specifically related to fire.

What percentage of people with pyromania have impulse control disorders?

Some research states that only between 3 and 6 percent of people in inpatient psychiatric hospitals meet the diagnostic criteria. Pyromania is defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) as an impulse control disorder. Impulse control disorders are when a person is unable to resist a destructive urge or impulse.

When does Pyromania start in a child?

Pyromania isn’t often diagnosed until around age 18, though pyromania symptoms may start showing up around puberty. At least one report suggests pyromania onset could occur as early as age 3. But fire-starting as a behavior can also occur in children for a number of reasons, none of which include having pyromania.

What is the DSM-5 criteria for Pyromania?

The DSM-5 has very strict criteria on pyromania. It’s rarely diagnosed. While pyromania is a psychiatric condition dealing with impulse control, arson is a criminal act. It’s usually done maliciously and with criminal intent. Pyromania and arson are both intentional, but pyromania is strictly pathological or compulsive. Arson may not be.

What is Pyromania disorder?

Pyromania is a type of impulse control disorder that is characterized by being unable to resist starting fires. People with pyromania know that setting fires is harmful. But setting fires is the only way they can relieve their built-up tension, anxiety, or arousal.

What is pyromania (pathological fire setting)?

Pyromania, the term for pathological fire setting, is a rare disorder characterized by the intentional and repeated setting of fires. People with pyromania are deeply fascinated by fire and related paraphernalia.

Why do Pyromaniacs start fires?

Pyromaniacs start fires to induce euphoria and often fixate on institutions of fire control like fire houses and firemen. Pyromania is a type of impulse control disorder, along with kleptomania, intermittent explosive disorder and others.

What percentage of the population has Pyromania?

It’s not known exactly how many people have pyromania. Researchers estimate it only affects a very small portion of the population, however. The lifetime prevalence of fire setting is reported to be 1.1 percent of the population—and that’s only one component of pyromania.

What is pyromania in children?

Pathological fire-setting, known as pyromania, manifests when the action is a deliberate, planned, and persistent behavior. Juveniles in this severe group set about 5.3 fires. Most young children are not diagnosed as having pyromania but conduct disorders. There are two basic types of children that start fires.

What is the typical age of onset for Pyromania?

There isn’t a typical age of onset for pyromania. It may be identified during childhood but it’s not clear if pyromania lasts into adulthood. Fire-setting behaviors often come and go in people with pyromania. So a child who exhibits symptoms of pyromania may seem to get better over time before engaging in fire setting again.

Who is most likely to have Pyromania?

People with a gambling disorder, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder may be more likely to have pyromania. 7 The condition appears in both males and females—though it’s significantly more common in males. It’s more common in people who have learning disabilities or lack social skills.

What is pyromania (pathological fire setting)?

Pyromania, the term for pathological fire setting, is a rare disorder characterized by the intentional and repeated setting of fires. People with pyromania are deeply fascinated by fire and related paraphernalia.