Pyromania: Difference between revisions
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'''Pyromania''' is an [[fixation|obsession]] with [[fire]] and starting fires in an [[intent|intentional]] fashion. In colloquial English, the synonym "[[firebug]]" or "firestarter" is sometimes used. Pyromaniacs are identified specifically as not having any other [[symptom]]s but obsession with fire causing their behavior. It is distinct from [[arson]], and pyromaniacs are also distinct from those who start fires because of [[psychosis|psychoses]], for personal, monetary or political gain, or for acts of [[revenge]]. Pyromaniacs start fires to induce [[euphoria]], and often tend to fixate on institutions of fire control: [[fire station|fire stations]], [[firefighter|firefighters]], etc. |
'''Pyromania''' is an [[fixation|obsession]] with [[fire]] and starting fires in an [[intent|intentional]] fashion. In colloquial English, the synonym "[[firebug]]" or "firestarter" is sometimes used. Pyromaniacs are identified specifically as not having any other [[symptom]]s but obsession with fire causing their behavior. It is distinct from [[arson]], and pyromaniacs are also distinct from those who start fires because of [[psychosis|psychoses]], for personal, monetary or political gain, or for acts of [[revenge]]. Pyromaniacs start fires to induce [[euphoria]], and often tend to fixate on institutions of fire control: [[fire station|fire stations]], [[firefighter|firefighters]], etc. |
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==Etiology== |
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There is little known about this impulse control disorder, except some research suggesting there is an environmental component arising in early childhood.<ref>{{cite web | author=| year=2003| title= Psychiatric Disorders:Pyromania | format=| work=All Psych Online | url=http://allpsych.com/disorders/impulse_control/pyromania.html| accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref> |
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Pyromania tends to occur among young people; though almost half of arsons are caused by those under 18 in the United States, fire starting for its own sake is far rarer. Most children normally go through stages of attraction to fire, and most of the time such fascination is a sign of [[immaturity]] or [[boredom]].<ref>Further information on pyromania can be found on page 669 of the [[Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders]], DSM-IV-TR.</ref> The word is often misused, being used for a mild enjoyment around starting a small blaze. Pyromania occurs more commonly in males, especially those with learning and social disabilities (e.g. [[Bipolar disorder]], [[ADHD]], [[clinical depression|depression]]). In the absence of other disorders mental and physical, the symptoms of pyromania include: |
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==Symptoms== |
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* Deliberate fire-setting on more than one occasion. |
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To be Pyromania, there must be purposeful setting of fire on at least two occasions. There is tension or arousal prior to the act, and gratification or relief when it is over. It is done for its own sake, and not for any other motivation.<ref>{{cite web | author=| year=July 21st, 2003| title= Pyromania (firestarting)| format=| work=PsychNet-UK| url=http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/pyromania.htm| accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref> It is all about the pleasure of seeing what other people have to do to extinguish the fire, and the pyromaniac may enjoy reading of the effects of what they have done. <ref>{{cite web | author=| year=2003| title= Psychiatric Disorders:Pyromania | format=| work=All Psych Online | url=http://allpsych.com/disorders/impulse_control/pyromania.html| accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref> |
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* Tension or affective excitement before the act |
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* [[Obsession]] with and about fire |
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* Pleasure and gratification by the act |
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Pyromania is a very rare disorder, and the incident of it is less than one percent in most studies; also, pyromaniac are a very small proportion of phychiatric hospital admissions.<ref>{{cite web | author=| year=March 1st, 2005| title= The arsonist's mind: part 2 - pyromania | format=| work=Australian Government:Australian Institute of Criminology| url=http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/bfab/bfab009.html| accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref> |
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* Fascination or attraction to fire and objects, people, or situations around fire |
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==Treatment== |
==Treatment== |
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[[Behavior modification]] is the usual treatment for pyromania. Other treatments include seeing the patients actions as an unconscious process and analyzing it to help the patient extinguish the behavior. The prognosis for treatment is generally fair to poor.<ref>{{cite web | author=| year=2003| title= Psychiatric Disorders:Pyromania | format=| work=All Psych Online | url=http://allpsych.com/disorders/impulse_control/pyromania.html| accessdate=2006-06-15}}</ref> |
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[[Behavior modification]] is the usual treatment for pyromania. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*[http://www.crescentlife.com/disorders/pyromania.htm Medical Examination of Pyromania] |
*[http://www.crescentlife.com/disorders/pyromania.htm Medical Examination of Pyromania] |
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[[Category:Fire]] |
[[Category:Fire]] |
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[[he:פירומאניה]] |
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Revision as of 17:26, 15 June 2006
- For the album by Def Leppard, see Pyromania (album)
Pyromania is an obsession with fire and starting fires in an intentional fashion. In colloquial English, the synonym "firebug" or "firestarter" is sometimes used. Pyromaniacs are identified specifically as not having any other symptoms but obsession with fire causing their behavior. It is distinct from arson, and pyromaniacs are also distinct from those who start fires because of psychoses, for personal, monetary or political gain, or for acts of revenge. Pyromaniacs start fires to induce euphoria, and often tend to fixate on institutions of fire control: fire stations, firefighters, etc.
Etiology
There is little known about this impulse control disorder, except some research suggesting there is an environmental component arising in early childhood.[1]
Symptoms
To be Pyromania, there must be purposeful setting of fire on at least two occasions. There is tension or arousal prior to the act, and gratification or relief when it is over. It is done for its own sake, and not for any other motivation.[2] It is all about the pleasure of seeing what other people have to do to extinguish the fire, and the pyromaniac may enjoy reading of the effects of what they have done. [3]
Incidence and demographics
Pyromania is a very rare disorder, and the incident of it is less than one percent in most studies; also, pyromaniac are a very small proportion of phychiatric hospital admissions.[4]
Treatment
Behavior modification is the usual treatment for pyromania. Other treatments include seeing the patients actions as an unconscious process and analyzing it to help the patient extinguish the behavior. The prognosis for treatment is generally fair to poor.[5]
References
- ^ "Psychiatric Disorders:Pyromania". All Psych Online. 2003. Retrieved 2006-06-15.
- ^ "Pyromania (firestarting)". PsychNet-UK. July 21st, 2003. Retrieved 2006-06-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help) - ^ "Psychiatric Disorders:Pyromania". All Psych Online. 2003. Retrieved 2006-06-15.
- ^ "The arsonist's mind: part 2 - pyromania". Australian Government:Australian Institute of Criminology. March 1st, 2005. Retrieved 2006-06-15.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|year=(help) - ^ "Psychiatric Disorders:Pyromania". All Psych Online. 2003. Retrieved 2006-06-15.