Learn More About Pyromania
Diagnostic Criteria
A. Deliberate and purposeful fire setting on more than one occasion
B. Tension or affective arousal before the act
C. Fascination with, interest in, curiosity about, or attraction to fire and its situational contexts (e.g., paraphemalia, uses, and consequences)
D. Pleasure, gratification, or relief when setting fires or when witnessing or participating in their aftermath
E. The fire setting in not done for monetary gain, as an expression of sociopolitical ideology, to conceal, criminal activity, to express anger or vengeance, to improve one’s living circumstances, in response to a delusion or hallucination, or as a result of impaired judgment (e.g., in major neurocognitive disorder, intellectual disability, [intellectual developmental disorder], substance intoxication).
F. The fire setting in not better explained by conduct disorder, a manic episode, or anti-social personality disorder.
Pyromania feels like a constant urge to light fires, usually followed by a positive or rewarding feeling.
Pyromania is an easy disorder to identify – the key features are fascination with fire or burning things, and impulses to start fires followed by a feeling of joy.
The exact cause of pyromania is not known, but can have strong roots in the psychological upbringing and well being of the individual. It is suggested to develop a healthy relationship with a therapist to uncover possible reasons if you are struggling with the impulse to light fires.
Symptom Checker