According to one version, the onset of the desire to set fires starts in the childhood or adolescence due to some irregularities in the development of the personality structure. Pyromania occurs as a reaction to trauma, as a special form of defense by type of substitution*** and is characterized by unstable impulsive behavior and an irresistible urge to set fires.
The disorder is often one of the symptoms of manic-depressive psychosis or schizophrenia. The exact causes of the syndrome are not known.
In clinical practice the following portrait of a pyromaniac is given: as a rule, it is a man under 30, who has problems with studying at school or obtaining a profession, he often suffers from some physical disabilities and has communication difficulties, single or divorced.
The most interesting point in the behavior of a pyromaniac for me is that they do not secure material gain of any kind when they set fires, they aren’t trying to conceal criminal activity, or express social and political protest. They are fascinated by the process itself. The pyromaniacs are satisfied or relieved by what is happening and do not conceal their complicity in the arson cases. The mysterious “call of fire” gives the power to overstep social norms and law, and thus brings this act of behavior beyond the framework of the generally accepted system of cultural codes. We are dealing with pure affect – playing for pleasure and contrary to sense.
Psychologists call pyromania the awakening of a primitive instinct, which cannot be controlled by a sick or underdeveloped immature. To share the obsession with fire and feel the destructive power of this force of nature, I must get into the mind of the pyromaniac.
I’m looking for him. I am following in his footsteps. I am becoming him.