PYROMANIA
The recurrent, deliberate, and purposeful setting of fires.
Associated
features
- Tension or affective arousal
before setting the fires.
- Interest in fire and the actions
and tools coupled with firefighting.
- Gratification, or relief setting
fires or witnessing the aftermaths.
Patients
make substantial advance arrangements.
Epidemiology
Eight
times more frequent in men compared to women
Comorbidity
- Substance abuse disorders
- Affective disorders
- Other impulse control disorders
- Personality disturbances e.g.
borderline personality disorder.
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder
- Learning disabilities
History
of
- Enuresis
- Antisocial acts, such as truancy
and delinquency
Aetiology
Psychosocial.
- A symbol of sexuality.
- Abnormal craving for power and
social prestige
- Retaliation about the absence of
the father
- Volunteering as a firefighter to
vent the frustration
- Promiscuity and kleptomania in
females
Biological
Factors.
- Low CSF levels of 5-HIAA and
3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG)
- Reactive hypoglycemia, based on
blood glucose concentrations on glucose tolerance tests
Diagnosis
and Clinical Features
Persons
with pyromania often regularly watch fires in their neighbourhoods, frequently
set off false alarms, and show interest in firefighting paraphernalia. Their
curiosity is clear, but they show no remorse and may be indifferent to the
consequences for life or property. Firesetters may gain satisfaction from the
resulting destruction; frequently, they leave obvious clues. Commonly
associated features include alcohol intoxication, sexual dysfunctions,
below-average intelligence quotient (IQ), chronic personal frustration, and
resentment toward authority figures. Some fire setters become sexually aroused
by the fire.
Differential
Diagnosis
Arson
Firesetting
for financial gain, revenge, or other motivations, prepared in advance.
Conduct
disorder
Studies
associate pyromania with a history of antisocial acts, such as truancy and
delinquency People with antisocial personality or conduct set fire as an
intentional act. They may set fires for profit or retaliation, etc.
Schizophrenia
Patients
with schizophrenia or mania may set fires in response to delusions or
hallucinations.
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