Pyromania is a disorder where one deliberately attempts to or succeeds in starting fires without any apparent (or criminal) motivations.
It is related to poor impulse control, and a sense of gratification and relief while watching or starting fires 1 . Individuals with this disorder may willing fully start fires, and are often fascinated with institutions and technologies related to fire, like fire stations and fire alarms. As they can often be indifferent to the dangerous aspects of fire, they often cause injury, loss of life, property damage and result in legal consequences. This disorder is almost always comorbid with other mental disorders like antisocial personality disorder, substance use disorder, bipolar disorder etc. Apart from having other mental disorders, pyromania can also be caused by a history of abuse, substance use, or low learning and social abilities.
Since pyromania affects a very small portion of the population and rarely presents on its own, there is a lack of research into treatment of the disorder. Medications like antidepressants, mood stabilisers and antipsychotics can be prescribed to help the patient control aspects of their disorder like their impulse control, mood swings, and possible psychotic behaviours. Aside from medications, cognitive behavioral theory (CBT) can also be implemented, since it aims to change irrational beliefs and negative perceptions of oneself and the world them. CBT techniques with a focus on impulsive behaviours should be the focus during treatment. Another way to tackle the disorder is to teach the patient relaxation techniques to help them manage their possible mood problems. More practical training like legal education, managing triggers, and financial planning are also suggested by experts, and is a must for anyone suffering from pyromania. Lastly, since their fascination with fires often lands them in dangerous situations, people with pyromania should be educated on fire safety. All in all, pyromania is a chronic condition, and should be treated as soon as possible, especially since it can lead to many serious outcomes for the patient and those around them.
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About the Author.
Anjali Agarwal is a counselor at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here
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Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.