pyromania

pyromania /py·ro·ma·nia/ (-ma´ne-ah) the compulsion to set or watch fires in the absence of monetary or other gain, the act being preceded by tension or arousal and resulting in pleasure or relief.

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py·ro·ma·ni·a (pr-mn-, -mny)

n.

An uncontrollable impulse to start fires.

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pyro·mani·ac (-mn-k) adj. & n.

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Pyromania

An impulse control disorder in which one sets fires.

Mentioned in: Impulse Control Disorders, Intermittent Explosive Disorder

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pyromania

[pī′rōmā′nē·ə]

Etymology: Gk, pyr + mania, madness

an impulse-control disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to set fires.

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pyromania (pī´rōmā´nē),

n an abnormal desire to start fires or an obsession with fire in general.

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pyromania

Psychiatry  A disorder of impulse control which is characterized by a pattern of fire setting for pleasure, gratification, or relief of tension. See Impulse control disorder.

Pyromania–diagnostic criteria

Diagnostic criteria

(1) The person has set fires deliberately and on purpose on more than 1 occasion (multiple episodes involved)

(2) The person feels a tension or affective arousal before setting the fire

(3) Fascination, interest, attraction and/or curiosity for fire making paraphernalia, fire fighting equipment or any fire-related topic

(4) Pleasure, gratification, or relief may be felt

(a) when setting fires

(b) while witnessing a fire

(c) when participating in the aftermath

Exclusion criteria  

The fire setting cannot be better explained by another disorder (mania, antisocial personality conduct disorder, other).

The fire setting is not done (1) for monetary gain–insurance etc (2) to express a sociopolitical ideology, (3) to conceal a criminal act, (4) as a conscious expression of anger or vengeance, (5) to improve one's living circumstances, (6) in response to a delusion or hallucination, and (7) as a result of impaired judgement due to delusion or intoxication.