Pyromania is a very rare condition that is considered an impulse control disorder. It is more common in males than in females but can occur in both. Pyromania normally begins in childhood or adolescence and will persist throughout the person’s life if there is no treatment. Because it is so rare, there is not much research being done on Pyromania but there is some understanding of the disorder.
Causes
The brain chemistry of a person with Pyromania is very similar to one with Kleptomania, gambling addiction, and other addictions. There is possibly a genetic component to Pyromania but this does not mean that one parent has to have Pyromania as well. There is a slightly increased risk that someone with depression or anxiety can have a child with this disorder. Once it is determined that a person has this disorder, it is required that some intervention be provided. Consequences of Pyromania can easily lead to property damage, critical injuries, or death.
Signs
Signs that a person has Pyromania will be fairly obvious. Fire starting often leaves evidence and is not easy to conceal. There is an obvious obsession with starting fires and with those objects used to make fire that often starts in childhood. You might find matches, lighters, flint rock, or accelerants in the room of a child who is contemplating starting fires. There might be evidence in the form of burn holes in clothing, on carpets, upholstery or linens. There may also be burned paper in trash cans, near stoves, in sinks, or outside. Someone with pyromania starts fires due to the level of arousal it produces. The arousal felt from fire starting can help alleviate anxiety or tension in the person suffering from this disorder. Those with Pyromania do not start fires due to anger, revenge, delusions, hallucinations, or developmental delay. Often those who develop Pyromania in youth will get arrested for arson at some point. It is usually unlikely that the person committing arson due to Pyromania will be involved in other crimes. If the fire starting is part of a personality or conduct disorder then by definition it is not diagnosable as Pyromania.
Treatment
Once it is suspected that someone you know has Pyromania it is imperative that an assessment occurs immediately. The behaviors involved in Pyromania can lead to incarceration for arson, damage to property, or manslaughter. It is not a disorder that will get better without treatment. Simply hiding the fire starting materials will only delay the behavior but will not prevent it completely. Using punishment to attempt to treat Pyromania is also of no use and will only create a higher level of anxiety, causing an increased desire towards fire starting behavior. Behavioral counseling is important to help the sufferer stop the cycle of fire starting behavior to relieve tension. By learning healthy ways to deal with stress and learning to avoid triggers the client will likely be able to reduce fire starting behavior. There is also evidence that taking certain medications can also help reduce or eliminate fire starting. It has been determined that one year of intensive therapy along with medication can have long term success in treating Pyromania. Family counseling is also recommended so that the family can learn how to create a healthy environment and have an understanding of the disorder. Overall, Pyromania is a treatable disorder if treatment begins early and if loved ones make an effort to create a safe environment.
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