Pyromania Nursing Practice

Pyromania and Nursing Practice The DSM-V classifies pyromania as an impulse control disorder which also includes kleptomania, pathological gambling, and trichotillomania (Jacob, 2013). While an extremely rare disorder, it is often portrayed in media as a common illness among arsonists. This is not true although many arsonists attempt to be diagnosed with pyromania to be acquitted of their crimes. Since pyromania is so rare, there is limited research available, especially regarding nursing practice, interventions, and care. The limited research that is available it often antiquated and is no longer relevant in current practice. As such, it is part of the nurse 's role to advocate for further research, conduct nursing-specific research,

Pyromania is also described as a behavioural addiction, so it has many of the same signs and symptoms of substance addictions but it is more difficult to accurately screen (Korpa, & Papadopoulou, 2013). Some clinical signs of addictive behaviours, in general, are: “preoccupation, loss of control, and continuous use despite harmful consequences” (Korpa, & Papadopoulou, 2013). The signs and symptoms of an addictive disorder are tolerance, withdrawal, escalating use, desire and/or unsuccessful efforts to discontinue, time and effort are spent, and significant social or occupational activities are given up. Three or more of these criteria must be met for at least a year in order to be diagnosed with an addictive disorder. Since it is common for pyromania to overlap or coexist with other psychiatric disorders, it is a public health priority to prevent addictive disorders (Korpa, & Papadopoulou, 2013). While the DSM-V still classifies pyromania as an independent impulse control disorder, there is limited data on the occurrence of this diagnoses. Relating to the DSM-IV criteria though, around 3% of psychiatric inpatients meet the criteria for pyromania (Grant, Odlaug, & Kim, 2007). The DSM-V criteria for pyromania are: 1. Deliberate and purposeful fire setting on more than one occasion. 2. Tension or affective arousal before the act. Fascination with, interest in, curiosity about, or attraction to fire and its situational context. 3. Pleasure, gratification, or relief when setting fire, witnessing or participating in their