Piroman

A piroman (from the Greek pyr, meaning "fire", and mania, meaning "madness" or "obsession") is a person who has pyromania, a mental disorder characterized by an impulse control disorder involving a recurrent failure to resist impulses to deliberately set fires, for pleasure, gratification, or relief of tension. It is distinct from arson, which is the deliberate setting of fires for personal gain, revenge, or other specific motivations.

Pyromania is characterized by intense interest in, attraction to, and curiosity about fire and associated contexts (e.g., its equipment, uses, and consequences). Individuals with pyromania experience tension or emotional arousal before setting fires and feel pleasure, gratification, or relief when setting or witnessing the aftermath of fires.

Diagnosis of pyromania requires meeting specific criteria outlined in diagnostic manuals like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). It must be differentiated from other conduct disorders, antisocial personality disorder, or substance use disorders, and the fire-setting must not be better explained by these other conditions or by other mental disorders (e.g., intellectual disability, dementia).

The causes of pyromania are not fully understood, but a combination of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors are believed to play a role. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and sometimes medication to address underlying impulse control issues or comorbid mental health conditions.