Pyromania 477
they may derive satisfaction from the resulting property destruction. The behaviors may
lead to property damage, legal co nsequences, or injury or loss of  life to the fire setter or to
others. Individuals who impulsively set fires (who may or may not have pyromania) often
have a current or past history of alcohol use disorder.
Prevalence
The population prevalence of pyromania is no t known. The lifetime prevalence of fire set-
ting, which is just one component of pyromania and not sufficient for a diagnosis by itself,
was reported as 1.13% in a population sample, but the mo st common como rbidities were
antisocial personality disorder, substance use disorder, bipolar disorder, and pathological
gambling (gambling disorder). In contrast, pyromania as a primary diagnosis appears to
be very rare. Among a sample of persons reachi ng the criminal system with repeated fire
setting, only 3.3% had symptoms th at met full criteria  for pyromania. 
Development and Course
There are insufficient data to establish a typi cal age at onset of pyromania. The relation-
ship between fire setting in childhood and pyromania in adulthood has not been docu-
mented. In individuals with pyromania, fire -setting incidents are episodic and may wax
and wane in frequency. Longitudinal course is unknown. Although fire setting is a major
problem in children and adolescents (over 40% of  those arrested for arson offenses in the
United States are younger than 18 years), pyromania in childhood appears to be rare. Ju-
venile fire setting is usually associated with  conduct disorder, attention-deficit/hyperac-
tivity disorder, or an  adjustment disorder.
Gender-Related Diagnostic Issues