Learning About Pyromania

Pyromania is a mental health condition. It's a type of impulse control disorder (ICD). A person who has it feels a strong, recurring urge to set fires on purpose. This urge is hard to control. Before setting a fire, a person may feel tense or very excited. Afterward, they often feel relief or calm.

The exact cause is not known. It may be linked to changes in the brain that affect impulse control. It may be more common in people who had trauma in childhood, such as those who experienced abuse or neglect.

Pyromania often occurs with other mental health conditions. These include depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. It is seen more often in people who are biologically male.

Most often it begins in childhood or the teen years. It can also start in early adulthood.

To be diagnosed with pyromania, a person must show all of these signs.

• Setting fires on purpose more than once.
• Feeling strong tension or excitement just before setting a fire.
• Feeling pleasure, relief, or calm after the fire is set.
• Having strong interest in fire, firefighting tools, or anything related to fire.
• Not setting fires for money, to hide a crime, or to express anger.
• Not having a different mental health condition that would better explain the behavior.

A doctor or mental health care provider will talk with you about your feelings and actions. They will also check for other conditions that might explain the behavior. These include other mental health conditions, substance use disorder, learning disabilities, mood disorders, or personality disorders.

Getting a correct diagnosis is the first step toward getting the right help.

The main treatment is therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type. CBT is a form of talk therapy. It helps people understand their thoughts and learn new ways to respond to urges.

There is no medicine that treats pyromania. There are medicines that may help manage other conditions that occur with it, such as depression or anxiety.

Family therapy can also help, especially for younger people. Other types of support may include community groups, social services, fire-safety programs, and school counselors. Starting treatment early tends to lead to the best results.

Without treatment, pyromania can be hard to manage. It can also lead to serious legal problems or put others at risk. With the right therapy and support, many people learn to manage their urges.

You don't have to face this alone. Help is available. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a free and confidential helpline. You can call or text 1-800-662-HELP (4357) anytime, day or night, 365 days a year.

If you are in a crisis or are having thoughts of hurting yourself, call or text 988 right away. This connects you to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. There are trained counselors available around the clock. You can also chat online at 988lifeline.org/chat.