Pyromania Disorder - Symptoms, Causes, Risks and Treatments

The condition of pyromania involves an unhealthy urge to set fire to things. Such acts induce a sense of satisfaction or pleasure in the person. Genetic factors are one of the primary causes catering to the development of this condition.

One of the effective treatments for the disorder includes habit reversal therapy or training. Read along to learn about concerning factors about the condition, which are notable enough to raise awareness and seek early treatment.

It is a type of impulse control or conduct disorder where people persistently start a fire. This act is driven by an abnormal impulse that involves a sense of relief or satisfaction, setting things ablaze. This is a way people with this disorder administer to relieve them of built-in stress or anxiety.

Pyromaniacs may display the following symptoms:

• Deliberately setting fire to things that are not meant to be lit
• The act of lighting things up in a random manner is persistent
• Arousal or displaying extreme stress before setting things on fire
• An unhealthy fascination for fire and things ablaze, gaining pleasure from the same
• A sense of gratification derived from setting things on fire

More research is necessary to determine the risk factors leading to this condition. However, here are a few factors causing high risks of developing this condition:

• Mediocre intelligence
• History of mood disorder
• Stress from family
• Mistreatment as a child
• Most males are affected by this disorder
• Predominantly teenage males are victims of this disorder

The disorder is rarely diagnosed, and more research is necessary to diagnose the condition precisely. However, the following processes may be responsible for a near diagnosis of the disorder along with examining the symptoms described above of the same:

• Physicians examine symptoms of other mental health disorders, such as depression
• Comparing symptoms to previously recorded symptoms of people with similar conditions

The following multidisciplinary approach may help treat this condition:

• Individualised Treatment Plan: Mental healthcare experts determine an individual-specific treatment plan based on a patient's history. For example, in children, the approach involves supervision of parental styles and devising ways to make it better and stress-free.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This speech therapy involves discussions on irrational thoughts and the driven behaviour of the person experiencing the disorder. It helps devise ways to alter the thought process of the person affected through discussion, helping develop a positive approach in the person.
• Habit Reversal Training or Therapy: This treatment aims to establish awareness of triggers such as places or situations in the affected person. It additionally helps develop tolerance to urges and avoid maladaptive behaviour in the pyromaniac person.
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy: The treatment analyses underlying emotional issues a person faces, which may cause him/her to be a pyromaniac. It targets certain urges and behavioural ways that may lead to this condition's development.
• Pharmacotherapy: Doctors may recommend medications such as mood stabilisers, antidepressants and antipsychotics to help bring down the severity of symptoms entailing the disorder. For example, mental health care professionals may prescribe antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
• Group Therapy: This is a 12-step programme administered for treating addicts. Researchers have found it to be helpful to a certain extent in treating pyromaniacs.
• Biofeedback: It involves a person being able to breathe properly and relax under given stressful situations and triggers. The treatment administers deep breathing techniques that may help deal with stress and anxiety levels.

The condition primarily develops in the teenage years associated with the symptoms mentioned above. Here are some early causative symptoms which need immediate medical attention:

• Being a threat to family and neighbours of causing a potential fire hazard.
• A habit of persistently setting fire to things for 6 weeks straight.

The treatment, as mentioned earlier, help manage the severity of the symptoms along with the following preventive measures:

• Lifestyle modifications such as maintaining a healthy diet and abstaining from alcohol and drug use help manage the condition effectively.
• Receiving training on developing social skills and some relaxation techniques come in handy to deal with the condition.

People having pyromania disorder are a severe threat to themselves and the societies they live in. However, the behaviour is not solely associated with this specific disorder. Regardless, if you suspect that your behaviours are indicative of the symptoms of pyromania, you must seek medical help.