What Are Vanity Pyromaniacs?

Most psychologists will never encounter a vanity pyromaniac, someone who sets fires then reports them to feel important. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, states "pyromania is apparently rare." Data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) suggests that, as of 2009, the rate of arson was 32.6 crimes for every 100,000 people in metropolitan areas with populations of 1 million or more. However, not all arsonists are pyromaniacs, and not all pyromaniacs are vanity pyromaniacs.

Pyromania

• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders differentiates pyromaniacs from other types of fire-setters. Pyromaniacs are obsessed with fire. They may even become volunteer or paid firefighters to be near it. Pyromaniacs can't control their impulses. Stress, anxiety, or physical or emotional pain cause them to suffer so much that setting fires seems to be the only relief. The targets of their crimes are often random objects, although the planning and execution may be either disorganized or meticulous.

FBI Profile

• Because pyromania is rare, few comprehensive studies have examined the characteristics of pyromaniacs. However, the FBI has profiled pyromaniacs and says the typical one is a young, white male whose intelligence ranges from handicapped to genius. He may have physical problems and suffers from low self-esteem, social isolation, and marginal job and educational performance.

  The typical pyromaniac is generally underemployed and, if married, the marriage is usually troubled, according to the FBI. When caught, pyromaniacs often don't appear remorseful for the danger to which they have exposed other people. Pyromaniacs also have deep-seated anger toward authority figures.

Vanity Pyromaniacs

• Columbia University psychiatrists Nolan Lewis and Helen Yarnell coined the term "vanity pyromaniac" to describe a rare kind of pyromaniac. Vanity pyromaniacs feel like failures. It makes them feel important to set fires then report the blazes to authorities because they gain recognition for their "discoveries." Vanity pyromaniacs may even participate in investigating the fire, especially if they are members of the fire department. Vanity pyromaniacs see themselves as heroes.

Treatment

• Because little is known about pyromaniacs, few comprehensive studies have been done on the effectiveness of treatment. Because pyromania is a type of impulse-control disorder, treatment typically focuses on stress management, self-esteem enhancement and social skills training. Because as many as 68 percent of pyromaniacs are intoxicated when they set fires, they may benefit from alcohol treatment.

  Drug treatments for obsessive thoughts may be used to treat pyromania, typically antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Therapists may challenge vanity pyromaniacs to see that they are not heroes. Counseling may them recognize intrusive thoughts and substitute less harmful responses to these thoughts.