- Dan Hartung -
> Note that some studies show mental disorder as an underlying cause in
> > under 10 percent of arsonists. The sexual-release analogue of
pyromania
> -- often depicted in movies -- is actually very rare. In the current
> > DSM-IV, pyromania is only diagnosed when no other syndrome can be
> > identified to explain it, e.g. schizophrenia-based paranoia,
antisocial
> disorder (fka "psychopathy") [which would imply aggressive anger against
> > a specific target], or histrionic disorder [applied to
attention-seekers].
- Hopper -
Which is a rather curious way to say it. I'm fascinated at the DSM
> definition of pyromania as you've written. I am puzzled by one thing: it
> seems that ten percent is awful low. But perhaps I'm viewing it in the wrong
> light. To clarify, you're saying that true anti-social causes for arson or
> mental disorder are the minority of arson cases, with the balance being
> things like revenge or insurance fraud?
>
> I don't mean to sound like I'm arguing with you (since this is more towards
> the studies you've mentioned), but wouldn't a person almost by
definition
have a mental disorder if they set fires with the express purpose of
> destroying something?
- Nehmo - Don't confuse DSM-IV classifications with science. They're really just a psycho-babble way to put a derogatory label on somebody. Who has a "disorder" and who doesn't is not clearly defined. But aside form that, yes, setting fires, by this classification system, can mean a disorder that stands on its own. See the "coding note" below.
DSM-IV Criteria for Mental Disorders
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control disorders
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"Pyromania· More than once, the patient has deliberately and purposefully set fires. · Before the fire-setting, the patient experiences tension or excited mood. · The patient is interested in or attracted to fire and its circumstances and associations (such as firefighting apparatus, uses or aftermath of fire). · The patient experiences gratification, pleasure or relief when setting fires or experiencing their consequences. · These fires are not set: for profit to express a political agenda to conceal crimes to express anger or revenge to improve the patient's living circumstances in response to a delusion or hallucination as a result of impaired judgment* · The fire-setting is not better explained by Antisocial Personality Disorder, Conduct Disorder or Manic Episode.Coding Note
*Of course, setting any fire at all would usually be interpreted as evidence of impaired judgment. What this criterion tries to express is the faulty judgment usually associated with other Axis I disorders as dementia, Mental Retardation and Substance Intoxication."
-- ******************** * Nehmo Sergheyev * ********************