Shubhra Vyas
What is Pyromania?
When a person feels the need to set fires without any ulterior motive, monetary gain, revenge or shows intense interest in watching fires burn the person is given a diagnosis of Pyromania.
Contrary to the popular belief an arsonist can be a Pyromaniac but all Pyromaniacs are not arsonists. The point of difference being that the act of arson is committed intentionally but pyromania is pathological or compulsive.
It is rarely diagnosed disorder as the patients suffering from the condition do not report. According to recent data the overall prevalence rate is still unknown but the inpatient data reveals that 3-6% among them fill the criteria for Pyromania. Some studies reveal that the frequency of the behaviour of fire setting increases overtime.
History
Pyromania was first used in 1833 by Marc and was derived from 19th century term “monomania” which is described as impulsive acts devoid of motive. Freud believed that the major people who are diagnosed with pyromania are males which was also brought on by denial of instinctual drives. Later studies shows that the prevalence rate of Pyromania is higher in males than females. The onset of pyromania is generally in childhood, what develops as a mere act of curiosity in childhood may later take the form of Pyromania in adulthood. Although there were some cases reported in children.
Symptoms and Triggers
The triggers of Pyromania can sometimes be common like boredom, stress and feelings of inadequacy. It can occur without any triggers. There are feelings of intense tension buildup which can only be released by performing the act of fire setting as it follows extreme excitement and pleasure.
Initially Pyromania under the category of obsessions and compulsions due to its compulsive nature but now it comes under the impulse control disorder.
Treatment
Once a person is diagnosed with pyromania, the treatment plan includes both the medications and therapies. With the combinations of both the disorder may be managed, if left untreated the disorder can take a rather nasty turn and turn into a chronic disorder which would be a lot harder to treat. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is most commonly used and most promising therapy used for treating Pyromania.
Refrences:
Fire Setting and the Impulse-Control Disorder of Pyromania, R. Scott Johnson, M.D., J.D., LL.M., Elisabeth Netherton, M.D.
Firesetting, Arson, Pyromania, and the Forensic Mental Health Expert, Paul R. S. Burton, MD, Dale E. McNiel, PhD, and Rene´e L. Binder, MD
