An impulsive behavioral disorder in which an individual affected with this disorder has the urge to set fire deliberately on almost anything without reasons is called pyromania. Eventually, the interest in fire which starts during childhood will lead to pyromania. If the childhood fun in setting fires is not controlled by adults around the child, it might balloon to this tragic disorder.

For an individual to be considered a pyromaniac, the patient must meet the following criteria: 1. He sets the fire deliberately more than once and with no apparent reasons except to enjoy seeing the fire. 2. He shows a stressful anticipation, which is an outward emotional behavior, before setting the fire. 3. The patient has an intense interest in setting or watching a fire. 4. He displays pleasure, satisfaction, or gratification at what he has done at post fire setting or fire-watching. 5. The only motivation the patient has is his strong urge to just set fire and see the fire. Underlying emotional trauma or social problems that push a desire in the patient to see fire burning things are some causes of pyromania as a psychiatric disorder. Pyromania is a strong fascination for fire; and after he has done his act, fire-setting gives a euphoria to the individual. Sensation seeking and antisocial behaviors or attitudes are also some of its causes. Majority or 90% of those diagnosed with pyromania are generally male. At one time, psychiatrist Jon Grant examined by SPECT the brain of a pyromania patient and found a low blood flow within the left inferior frontal portion of the brain. This finding by Jon Grant gave the first evidence of a biological cause for pyromania.

A pyromaniac, with both psychiatric and medical therapy, can still be treated. It is best done with behavioral therapy. Psychotherapy treatment alongside behavior modification is the most frequently used treatment. Based on the study of Jon Grant, a combination treatment of drugs and behavioral therapy was found to be successful in treating pyromania. The use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors is also beneficial in controlling the impulsive behavior of the patient as in other impulse control disorder. Also helpful for the patient are medications such as Lithium, naltrexone, (ReVia), fluoxetine (Prozac), citalopram (Celexa), paroxetene (Paxil), and other antidepressants.

Hope is still there for a pyromaniac. The patient has to face and admit he has this disorder that needs special psychiatric and medical treatment. However, if the condition of the patient is grave to the extent he cannot admit his problem, then it is up to his family or the authorities to rehabilitate him.