Pyromania

The term pyromania (from Greek πῦρ ( pyr ) = fire, μανία ( mania ) = rage ) refers to the pathological arson and was coined in the early 19th century, see also monomania. Affected people feel the urge to set fire and reflect from the fact gratification.

  • 2.1 classification
  • 2.2 Criteria
  • 2.3 Epidemiology and course
  • 2.4 comorbidity
  • 2.5 Consequences and complications
  • 2.6 treatment

Explanation of terms

Conceptual history

The term comes from the monomania doctrine of the French psychiatrist Jean -Etienne Esquirol and Charles Henry Marc Chretien.

German equivalents of the term

First, the term " monomania of arson ." In German-speaking countries are among others following correspondences found:

  • " Pathological arson "
  • " Instinctual arson "
  • " Addicted arson "
  • " Compulsive arson "

Not infrequently, the term is also used completely outside of a psychiatric context, to characterize people who like or passionate with fire bypass ( kindling ).

Rejection of the concept in forensic psychiatry

With the rejection of monomania doctrine already in the late 19th century, the notion of pyromania of psychiatry was discarded.

Clinical disease

Classification

The concept of pyromania is found in the ICD -10 in Chapter F63 ( " Abnormal habits and disorders of impulse control " ) with the category F63.1 " pathological arson [ pyromania ] ". In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( [ DSM -IV ] ) is to find the pyromania as a sub-category of impulse control disorder on axis I.

The problem with the inclusion of the concept in psychiatric classification systems that hereby the expectation is aroused, arson with features of " Pyromania " would be recognized as mental disorders by court psychiatrists and courts as a debt -reducing.

Criteria

In the " Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ", the internationally accepted diagnostic catalog of psychiatry, the following criteria will find:

  • The conscious and deliberate arson in several cases
  • Great tension and arousal before the act
  • , Has great interest in fire and everything to do with it
  • Joy or relief during the arson
  • The arsons were not undertaken for financial reasons, revenge, etc.

Epidemiology and course

Pyromania is rare, but common among arsonists. In a large study in the U.S. found among 1145 adult male arsonists 39 % with pyromania. In women, pyromania is scarce. Frequently socially underprivileged people are affected. It is often incorrectly assumed that especially many arsonists themselves are a member of a fire department. So pyromaniac due to their disease often increased motivation to engage in a fire department, but will try to prevent this by an appropriate social and penal ( criminal record ) Members selection. Also a control within the social groups of the fire prevented such tendencies. However, this problem is not peculiar to the fire department - other groups could have the same attraction for members represent not appropriate (see prejudices: Rifle Club, Federal Armed Forces). Therefore, a professional and sophisticated approach to the subject is necessary. It is likely that the course is episodic. There appear symptom-free intervals in addition to intervals in which the symptoms are prevalent on.

Comorbidity

The pyromania is often associated with other disorders:

  • Disorders of social behavior
  • Learning difficulties
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Impulse control disorders
  • Mental retardation
  • Physical deficiencies

Consequences and complications

Pyromania can lead to arson and related property damage; people can also be at risk. The pyromaniac is liable to prosecution in such cases.

Treatment

The treatment is psychotherapy.

Pyromancy
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