Pyromania
A recurrent pattern of deliberate fire-setting associated with tension before the act and fascination, interest, or attraction to fire and its consequences.
Prevalence: Rare condition; exact prevalence is low and uncertain due to underdiagnosis.
Common Symptoms
- Deliberate and purposeful fire-setting on more than one occasion
- Tension or affective arousal before act
- Fascination with fire and related contexts
- Pleasure or relief when setting or witnessing fires
- Fire-setting not for monetary gain
- Not motivated by political ideology or revenge
- Not due to impaired judgment from substance use
- Significant legal or social consequences
- Persistent urges related to fire
- Functional impairment
Risk Factors
- Male gender
- Childhood conduct problems
- Substance misuse
- Impulse-control difficulties
- Trauma exposure
- Lack of supervision
Treatment Approaches
- CBT for impulse control and distorted beliefs
- Behavioral contracts and contingency management
- Family therapy
- Multisystemic interventions in youth
- Treatment of comorbid disorders
- Legal-probation integrated mental health care
- Relapse prevention planning
Self-Help & Natural Approaches
- Strict fire-safety plan
- Environmental control of ignition tools
- Anger and stress management
- Urge-delay strategies
- Structured activity scheduling
- Accountability monitoring
- Physical exercise
- Sleep stabilization
- Family support
- Crisis planning
When to Seek Professional Help
- Any deliberate fire-setting behavior
- Escalating urges about fire
- Legal involvement
- Risk to self or others
- Comorbid substance use
- Violent thoughts or severe distress
Crisis Resources
- Emergency services (call local emergency number for active fire risk)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Crisis Text Line: Text HELLO to 741741
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
- Local behavioral health crisis teams
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.