Pyrophilia

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Pyrophilia is a relatively uncommon paraphilia in which a subject derives gratification from fire and fire-starting activity. It is distinguished from pyromania by the gratification being of a sexual nature.

Description

While the erotic focus immediately raises the diagnostic issue of pyromania, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV classifies this disorder as an impulse-control disorder, with nothing to indicate or suggest an overlap between this disorder and the paraphilias.

Other than the purposeful act of fire-setting itself, there is no mention of the possibility that the tension or affective arousal experienced before the act; the fascination with, interest in, or attraction to fire and its situational contexts (for example, paraphernalia, uses, consequences); or the pleasure, gratification, or relief when setting, witnessing, or participating in the aftermath of fires might be sexual in nature or even contain a sexual arousal component.

Some described cases of pyrophilia do not include behaviors commonly associated with pyromania, such as being a regular “watcher” at fires in their neighbourhood; setting off

aids may include fantasies or talk of setting a fire. In other instances, the patient may derive arousal primarily from setting or watching their fire.

Pyrophilia has been diagnosed in very few instances, and is not fully accepted by the general

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See also

• Arson
• Pyromania

References

• Larry C. Litman (February 1999). "A case of pyrophilia". CPA Bulletin: 18–20.
• Bourget, D.; Bradford, John McDonald Wilson (1987). "Fire fetishism, diagnostic and clinical implications: A review of two cases". Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 32 (6): 459–462.
  S2CID 24078747
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• Balachandra, K.; Swaminath, Sam (2002). "Fire Fetishism in a Female Arsonist?". Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 47 (5): 487–488.
  S2CID 41729957., in Letters to the Editor