Obsession with fire
What Is It, What Causes It, and How Is It Treated
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on June 22, 2021
In this Article
- What Type of Disorder Is Pyromania?
- What Are the Symptoms of Pyromania?
- What Causes Pyromania?
- Who Is at Risk for Developing Pyromania?
- How Is Pyromania Treated?
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. They feel satisfaction or relief after they set a fire.
What Type of Disorder Is Pyromania?
Pyromania is part of a group of disorders called disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. These disorders cause people to be aggressive towards people or property.
If you have one of these disorders you may have a hard time controlling your emotions and behavior. Everyone feels that way occasionally. Yet in people with one of these disorders the behavior:
- Lasts a long time.
- Happens frequently.
- Happens in different situations.
- Causes significant problems.
Several factors increase your risk of developing a disruptive, impulse-control, or conduct disorder, including:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Harsh parenting
- Parents with a history of addiction
- Parents with a history of problems with law enforcement
What Are the Symptoms of Pyromania?
A diagnosis of pyromania depends on the reasons someone sets a fire. It's important to distinguish between different motives. Lighting fires is considered to be a behavior, not a disorder. Not everyone who sets a fire commits a crime.
Arson is a crime, but most arsonists don't have pyromania. Pyromania is a psychiatric disorder.
In order to be diagnosed with pyromania, the following symptoms must be present:
- Setting a fire deliberately and on purpose on more than one occasion
- Feeling tense or energetic before starting a fire
- Being drawn to and obsessed with fire and everything about it
- Feeling pleasure, relief, or gratification when setting fires, seeing fires, or being involved in the aftermath of fires
- Setting fires can't be explained through another psychiatric disorder
Pyromania is very rare.
In one study of 90 people who committed arson more than once, only 3 met the criteria for pyromania. People who set fires for the following reasons typically do not have pyromania:
- Monetary gain
- Political beliefs
- To hide a crime
- To improve a living situation
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Impaired judgment, such as being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
What Causes Pyromania?
It's not known exactly what causes pyromania. It's thought that it could be related to one or more of the following issues.
Other psychiatric disorders. People with pyromania often have other psychiatric issues. These might be anxiety, substance abuse, addiction, depression, attention deficit disorder, mood disorders, or learning disabilities.
Heredity. Pyromania is a type of impulse-control disorder. There seems to be a genetic component to these types of disorders. People with impulse-control disorders like pyromania are more likely to have relatives with psychiatric illnesses.
Brain chemicals. Your brain produces chemicals that control how you think, act, and feel. People with a chemical imbalance in their brains may be more susceptible to pyromania.
Stressors. Pyromania may be linked to stressful events such as a major loss or child abuse.
Triggers. Sometimes triggers, like a thought or a drug, can cause changes in your brain chemicals. This may lead you to associate starting a fire with feeling good.
Who Is at Risk for Developing Pyromania?
Pyromania is very rare. It hasn't been as extensively studied as other conditions. Pyromania has been associated with the following:
- Being male
- Below normal intelligence
- Having a mood disorder
- Being mistreated as a child
- Having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Family stress
How Is Pyromania Treated?
No clinical research has been done on medications to treat pyromania.
Your doctor may prescribe medicines to help manage your pyromania. Cognitive behavior therapy is also used to treat pyromania. Cognitive behavior therapy may include:
- Identifying the cause of the impulse
- Correcting or eliminating the behavior
- Changing the behavior or impulse
- Exchanging the old habit with a more appropriate one
- Finding effective coping methods
- Self-monitoring
- Using a buddy system in risky situations
- Parent training
- Problem-solving skills training
- Relaxation training
- Thinking about negative consequences
- Fire safety and prevention
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy
What Is It, What Causes It, and How Is It Treated
Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors
Medically Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on June 22, 2021
In this Article
- What Type of Disorder Is Pyromania?
- What Are the Symptoms of Pyromania?
- What Causes Pyromania?
- Who Is at Risk for Developing Pyromania?
- How Is Pyromania Treated?
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. They feel satisfaction or relief after they set a fire.
What Type of Disorder Is Pyromania?
Pyromania is part of a group of disorders called disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders. These disorders cause people to be aggressive towards people or property.
If you have one of these disorders you may have a hard time controlling your emotions and behavior. Everyone feels that way occasionally. Yet in people with one of these disorders the behavior:
- Lasts a long time.
- Happens frequently.
- Happens in different situations.
- Causes significant problems.
Several factors increase your risk of developing a disruptive, impulse-control, or conduct disorder, including:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Harsh parenting
- Parents with a history of addiction
- Parents with a history of problems with law enforcement
What Are the Symptoms of Pyromania?
A diagnosis of pyromania depends on the reasons someone sets a fire.
It's important to distinguish between different motives. Lighting fires is considered to be a behavior, not a disorder. Not everyone who sets a fire commits a crime.
Arson is a crime, but most arsonists don't have pyromania. Pyromania is a psychiatric disorder.
In order to be diagnosed with pyromania, the following symptoms must be present:
- Setting a fire deliberately and on purpose on more than one occasion
- Feeling tense or energetic before starting a fire
- Being drawn to and obsessed with fire and everything about it
- Feeling pleasure, relief, or gratification when setting fires, seeing fires, or being involved in the aftermath of fires
- Setting fires can't be explained through another psychiatric disorder
Pyromania is very rare. In one study of 90 people who committed arson more than once, only 3 met the criteria for pyromania. People who set fires for the following reasons typically do not have pyromania:
- Monetary gain
- Political beliefs
- To hide a crime
- To improve a living situation
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Impaired judgment, such as being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
What Causes Pyromania?
It's not known exactly what causes pyromania.
It's thought that it could be related to one or more of the following issues.
Other psychiatric disorders. People with pyromania often have other psychiatric issues. These might be anxiety, substance abuse, addiction, depression, attention deficit disorder, mood disorders, or learning disabilities.
Heredity. Pyromania is a type of impulse-control disorder. There seems to be a genetic component to these types of disorders. People with impulse-control disorders like pyromania are more likely to have relatives with psychiatric illnesses.
Brain chemicals. Your brain produces chemicals that control how you think, act, and feel. People with a chemical imbalance in their brains may be more susceptible to pyromania.
Stressors. Pyromania may be linked to stressful events such as a major loss or child abuse.
Triggers. Sometimes triggers, like a thought or a drug, can cause changes in your brain chemicals.
This may lead you to associate starting a fire with feeling good.
Who Is at Risk for Developing Pyromania?
Pyromania is very rare. It hasn't been as extensively studied as other conditions. Pyromania has been associated with the following:
- Being male
- Below normal intelligence
- Having a mood disorder
- Being mistreated as a child
- Having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Family stress
How Is Pyromania Treated?
No clinical research has been done on medications to treat pyromania. Your doctor may prescribe medicines to help manage your pyromania. Cognitive behavior therapy is also used to treat pyromania. Cognitive behavior therapy may include:
- Identifying the cause of the impulse
- Correcting or eliminating the behavior
- Changing the behavior or impulse
- Exchanging the old habit with a more appropriate one
- Finding effective coping methods
- Self-monitoring
- Using a buddy system in risky situations
- Parent training
- Problem-solving skills training
- Relaxation training
- Thinking about negative consequences
- Fire safety and prevention
- Family therapy
- Individual therapy
profile and diagnosis of people with this disorder
The arsonist does not actually set fires for economic or outright criminal purposes, but simply for fun and pleasure.
Of course, there are also psychological ones. psychiatric reasons for this.
The term "pyromania" comes from the Greek "pyros" meaning fire and "mania" meaning possession.
Thus, this term means a strong obsession with fire, flame and its consequences, as well as all the tools for kindling, spreading or extinguishing it.
Pyromania affects approximately 6% to 16% of men under the age of eighteen and 2% to 9% of adolescent girls (APA, DSM-IV-TR, 2001), although age of onset is usually lower.
It is not uncommon for these young people to set fire to small things, objects in or outside the home, and may make numerous preparations to start a fire.
Despite these figures, there are no reliable data on the development and course of pyromania.
The relationship between childhood fire raising and adult pyromania is not yet well documented.
In people diagnosed with pyromaniacs, fire attacks come and go with very different frequency.
The natural course is also currently unknown.
The largest investigations in the field of fire crimes were carried out in the USA by the FBI units specially created to investigate these crimes.
All studies of pyromania, both in the psychopathological and criminological fields, agree that a strong attraction to fire underlies this behavior (Bisi, 2008).
SPECIAL FIRE VEHICLES: VISIT THE ALLISON STAND at EMERGENCY EXPO
TALKING ABOUT PYROMANIA: PROFILE PYROMANIA
The DSM-5 lists pyromania as an impulse control and behavior disorder.
By definition, it is an uncontrollable urge that causes a person to knowingly and intentionally start a fire because they feel pleasure, satisfaction, or relief when they start a fire, witness its aftermath, or participate in the aftermath.
People with this disorder experience tension or excitement before the act and become interested, fascinated, intrigued by fire and all its elements (such as equipment, consequences, use).
They are usually routine fire watchers in the vicinity, may give false alarms, and are often recruited by law enforcement, equipment, and fire management personnel.
Clinically, to be diagnosed as an arsonist, one must exclude fires set for financial gain, fires associated with the expression of ideology or politics, fires associated with concealing evidence, arson out of revenge or anger, arson to improve one's circumstances (for example, related to insurance) and fires associated with illusions or hallucinations.
Thus, the main attention is paid to the pleasure, excitement that a person experiences in connection with the fire and its consequences.
The consequences of a fire are generally not considered by the arsonist, who sees only positive aspects in the fire for himself: satisfied tension, relief; moreover, the fact that he caused the fire makes him feel like a real and absolute protagonist.
As Ermentini points out, the immense attraction to fire and everything related to it is not only expressed in lighting a fire, but also accompanied by the satisfaction of watching all the stages after extinguishing a fire, including listening to news reports after extinguishing a fire.
event and its consequences (Ermentini, Gulotta, 1971).
Installation of special vehicles for fire participants: Find out the approved stand on Emergency Expo
Possible psychological profiles of the arsonist
according to Kannavici (2005), we can distinguish psychological and behavioral profiles that are hidden in the pimemania and the intention to cause fires:
- Ignition by vandalism. These are people who (usually in groups) set fires out of boredom or for fun.
- Incendiary for profit. Acts for personal gain.
- arsonist's revenge. Seeks to destroy the property of others as personal compensation.
- Instigator of political terrorism. Acts to put pressure on public authorities.
- Arsonist of another crime. In this case, the fire is used to erase the evidence left behind for another crime and thus divert the investigation.
- Arsonists can be classified based on the desire to set them on fire.
The arsonist's attraction to fire can have a variety of psychological implications and triggers, including antisocial cognition, resentment, interest in fire, and emotional-expressive aspects with a need for recognition.
One study involved 389 adult arsonists who underwent forensic examinations at a clinic in the Netherlands between 1950 and 2012.
Five subtypes of arsonists were identified: instrumental, rewarding, multiproblematic, and disturbed or disordered relationships.
Significant differences were observed both in the characteristics of the offenders and in the nature of the arson (Dalhuisen et al., 2017).
In psychology and psychiatry, pyromania is still considered a disease associated with serious mental disorders.
It is very difficult to diagnose and treat because it can rarely be identified in a "clean" way, but it is most likely associated with other disorders.
Quite often, the pathological desire for fire is formed in childhood, and the peak of the disease is considered to be between 16 and 30 years of age.
Women suffer from pyromania much less often than men.
Often the first symptoms appear during childhood.
Various psychiatric studies have shown cases where pyromaniacs experienced real sexual arousal when something was burned, followed by discharge. It's called pyrophilia.
Treating pyromaniacs is difficult because they do not recognize the presence of the disease and therefore may refuse treatment, which is mainly pharmacological and followed by therapy.
Unfortunately, there are relapses.
But they are mostly characteristic of people who continue to abuse alcohol and drugs after treatment.
Article written by Dr. Leticia Chiabattoni
Read also:
Nomophobia, unrecognized mental disorder: dependence on the smartphone
Eco-lane: the effect of climate on mental health
https: // wwww .onap-profiling.org/lincendiario-e-il-piromane/
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/246208/9788894307610-V1-ita.
pdf?sequence=108&isAllowed=y
American Psychiatric Association (2014), Diagnostic and statistics of mental disorders (DSM 5)”, Raffaello Cortina Editore: Milano
Baresi K., Center B. (2005), “Criminal crime. Aspetti social - pedagogical and practical studies", EDUP: Roma
Bisi R. (2008), "Incendiari e Vittime", Rivista di Criminologia, Vittimologia e Sicurezza, Anno 2, no. 1, pp. 13–20.
Cannavicci M. (2005) "Il piromane e l'incendiario", Silvae, anno II, N. 5
Ermentini A., Gulotta G. (1971), "Psicologia, Psicopatologia e Delitto", Antonio Giuffre Editore: Milano
Reviews of the quest Obsession
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Victoria
Level: Professional
Game date: 05/23/2021
Very impressive game! They brought us to screaming and laughter))) We went together (2 girls) and I highly recommend going with a small team in order to participate as much as possible in all tasks, especially individual ones.
I would generally go through the prostitutes again and again ..... I really liked it))) On... Show full review
Dmitry
Level: Beginner
Game date: 03/08/2021
The atmosphere is fire, it keeps you in suspense to the end, the acting is fantastic, while without contact, as we wanted. Organized to the highest standard.
Andrew
Level: Beginner
Game date: 03/20/2021
In the OBSESSION quest, we experienced unique emotions. Stunning scenery and excellent acting create a wonderful atmosphere. Our company has visited many quests in Moscow, but this one will definitely remain our favorite
Nikolay
Level: Beginner
Game date: 03/23/2021
Everything is just great. It was scary in some moments even jumped up and down in fear. The acting is beyond praise. I recommend to everyone and will definitely come again.
Eugene
Level: Beginner
Game date: 03/26/2021
Great quest.
It was fast and scary, grandpa is still a sniper, but with such work it’s not surprising, cool atomsphere))
Olga
Level: Beginner
Game date: 03/28/2021
Went on 03/28/21 Very atmospheric start and place. Throughout the quest, we were in intense fear, from which we involuntarily laughed, but not for long ... ACTORS GREAT GOOD FELLOWS!!! They plunged us into an atmosphere of real fear, but they didn’t forget to joke, so that we wouldn’t faint. Entourage, ideal... Show full review0003
We came with the guys to the first Horor Quest, got a full range of sensations! Extremely high-quality location, good storytelling and great tips (integrated into the interior of the quest) great actors! If you want to get a quality Quest, this is your choice!
Regina
Level: Beginner
Game date: 02/05/2021
Super creepy Quest, for thrill-seekers, just a cannon! Cool environment, everything looks very realistic! Good acting!!!
Anastasia
Level: Beginner
Game date: 02/07/2021
I really liked the Quest, atmospheric and very scary, I recommend it!
Daria
Level: Beginner
Game date: 02/07/2021
I liked everything, some moments made the whole company scream in horror, the actors act perfectly, the immersion is maximum, you are always afraid that something terrible will happen.
In general, the nerves patted us, we are happy))
Elizabeth
Level: Amateur
Game date: 02/06/21__
Just wow!!! Five of them went. A lot of emotions, it was really scary. Satisfied with the work of the staff, we advise you to go. Very unpredictable. Acting at the highest level, grandfather top. 🙂😎
Nikita
Level: Beginner
Game date: 12/30/2020
Cheer up and have fun! Thanks to the organizers, the guys did a great job! Recommend 👍
Denise
Level: Beginner
Game date: 01/07/2021
Excellent quest) went by a company of 3 people, everyone liked it very much. excellent scenery, acting at a higher level. Thanks a lot! The hour flew by like an instant)
Alena
Level: Beginner
Game date: 01/16/2021
Quest bomb, 2 girls lost consciousness at the entrance, screaming. Well, seriously. The staff, the atmosphere, the plot are all top notch! Emotions run high! As I write this review, my hands are shaking.
