What Is Pyromania? Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Pyromania is a rare mental health disorder characterized by a fascination with fire. Those living with it tend to compulsively set fires, usually in an attempt to relieve anxiety or other kinds of tension. While the majority of people with pyromania do not want to hurt anyone or damage property, it’s a risk inherent with the way this disorder manifests. That’s why getting treatment for pyromania is vital for keeping the individual and the people and property they come in contact with safe. Read on to learn more about this condition, including causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

What Is The Difference Between Pyromania And Arson?

Because there are many common misconceptions about pyromania, it’s useful to begin with an explanation of what it is and is not. At its core, it’s an impulse disorder marked by a compulsive need to set fires in order to stave off or release some kind of tension.

Someone who commits arson and someone with pyromania are not inherently the same. An arsonist is someone who deliberately sets fire to buildings, forests, or other places or property, and they will actively seek out opportunities to do so. Someone with pyromania, in contrast, typically does not want to damage property but feels a compulsive need to set fires nevertheless. The key difference between the two is intent rather than action. 

Arsonists may set fires for a number of different reasons, such as revenge or financial gain, and can be charged with a felony as a consequence of their actions. A person with pyromania could also have to face consequences for their actions if they legally qualify as arson, but their clinical diagnosis could make a difference in sentencing. It’s also worth noting that in separate studies of 113 arsonists, 191 state hospital patients with a history of fire setting, and 27 female fire setters—331 individuals with a history of fire setting in total—none were diagnosed with pyromania. These findings support just how rare the disorder is, and could also suggest that those with this disorder don’t commonly end up engaging in criminal acts as a result, though more research would be needed to accurately draw such conclusions. (Mental health research is constantly evolving, so older sources may contain information or theories that have been reevaluated since their original publication date.)

Risk Factors For Pyromania

Exactly what causes pyromania is not yet fully understood. However, research has uncovered a set of risk factors that may predispose an individual to develop this disorder. These include:

• Being male
• Having below-average intelligence
• Growing up in harsh or frustrating circumstances
• A history of childhood abuse or trauma
• A family history of pyromania or other mental health disorders
• A comorbid mental health disorder (anxiety, depression, a learning disorder, a substance use disorder)
• An imbalance of certain brain chemicals

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse in any form, you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for immediate support, advice, and assistance.

Signs And Symptoms Of Pyromania

There is a fairly clear set of signs and symptoms that can indicate pyromania. Note also that pyromania may only apply if the individual’s behaviors can’t be explained by another psychiatric disorder or other motivations (political beliefs, monetary gain, to cover up a crime, impaired judgment due to substance use).

Regularly Burning Things

The first symptom is deliberately setting fires on more than one occasion, which can take a variety of different forms. Someone with pyromania may often burn holes in clothing or rugs or may burn paper or other materials in trash cans or over the stove, for example—especially at first. They might also have burn marks and scars on their bodies as a result of these behaviors. They may also hoard matches and lighters, possibly playing with them regularly or lighting them just to watch the flames. It’s worth noting that pyromania can escalate over time, so a person with this disorder may start by lighting matches but not setting anything on fire at first. Over time, they may be drawn to setting small objects on fire, then larger ones, and so on.

Specific Feelings Related To Fire Setting

Again, intention is what often separates pyromania from pure arson or other behaviors that do not qualify as mental health disorders. Someone with this condition will typically be tense and/or excitable before setting a fire and will usually experience pleasure or relief afterwards. This release typically constitutes their main motivation for burning things in any capacity, rather than the clear desire to harm others or damage property.

An Attraction To All Things Fire-Related 

An individual with pyromania may also be fascinated with other fires—even those that they don’t set themselves. They may be drawn to watching them either in person or on TV and hearing about fires that happen in other places. They might enjoy talking about fires and may seek out people who are like-minded or who work in fire-related jobs. They may be attracted to the firefighting industry in particular, and it’s not uncommon for them to spend time at fire departments.

Treatment For Pyromania

Seeking treatment for this disorder is typically important because of the way an individual’s symptoms have the potential to harm others. The symptoms of impulse disorders like pyromania can be difficult to manage without professional help, which is why some form of psychotherapy is typically a recommended treatment for individuals with this condition. A focus of therapy will often be learning to identify and redirect the urge to start a fire into something safe and productive. Learning about the stressors that may trigger this impulse and how to manage them can be a part of this process. Instilling problem-solving skills can also be instrumental in helping an individual manage their impulses and effectively redirect them when they do occur.

Connecting With A Therapist

Confiding in someone about impulses you feel you have no control over can seem intimidating. However, it’s the job of a trained therapist to provide clients with a safe, nonjudgmental space where they can be honest about their feelings and get unbiased, caring support and guidance. Some people find that connecting with a therapist virtually can help them feel more at ease, making it more comfortable for them to open up. Online therapy is often a more accessible option as well for those who may have trouble locating a provider in their area or are unable to travel to and from appointments. 

Research suggests that online therapy can constitute an effective treatment delivery modality, which means that you can typically choose between that option and in-person sessions based on what feels right for you. If you’re interested in connecting with a provider virtually, you might consider an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. After a sign-up process, you can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging to address the challenges you may be facing.