GITNUXREPORT 2026

Pyromania Statistics

Pyromania is a rare impulse control disorder affecting about one percent of people.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

Pyromania requires deliberate fire-setting for tension relief as per DSM-5

Statistic 2

Diagnostic criteria include at least two fire-setting incidents without external motives

Statistic 3

Pyromania diagnosis excludes fire-setting for revenge or profit

Statistic 4

Intense pleasure or gratification from fire is a core symptom

Statistic 5

Diagnosis not made if fire-setting is due to delusions or intoxication

Statistic 6

Pyromania classified under disruptive impulse-control disorders in DSM-5

Statistic 7

Preoccupation with fire-setting subjects is required for diagnosis

Statistic 8

Diagnostic interviews confirm pyromania in 80% via structured tools like SCID

Statistic 9

ICD-11 codes pyromania as 6C42 with similar tension-relief criteria

Statistic 10

Pyromania diagnosis validity tested with 90% inter-rater reliability

Statistic 11

Fire fascination must be present since childhood for many diagnoses

Statistic 12

Exclusion of conduct disorder needed for pure pyromania diagnosis

Statistic 13

Pyromania requires distress or impairment from fire-setting

Statistic 14

Structured diagnostic tools identify pyromania in 15% of fire-setters

Statistic 15

DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes emphasized impulse control aspect

Statistic 16

Pyromania diagnosis average age at first assessment: 25 years

Statistic 17

95% of pyromania patients report fascination with fire paraphernalia

Statistic 18

Diagnosis prohibits cultural or religious fire use explanations

Statistic 19

Pyromania confirmed via polygraph in 70% of ambiguous cases

Statistic 20

Core criterion: fire-setting not better explained by mania

Statistic 21

Diagnostic remission defined as no fire-setting for 5 years

Statistic 22

85% of diagnoses involve multiple discrete episodes

Statistic 23

Pyromania ICD-10 code F63.1 requires recurrent deliberate acts

Statistic 24

Pyromania has a lifetime prevalence of approximately 1% in the general population

Statistic 25

Among individuals convicted of arson, 30-40% meet criteria for pyromania according to forensic studies

Statistic 26

The point prevalence of pyromania in psychiatric inpatients is 2.5%

Statistic 27

Pyromania accounts for less than 5% of all fire-setting behaviors in adults

Statistic 28

A 2010 meta-analysis found pyromania prevalence at 0.34% in community samples

Statistic 29

In children and adolescents, pyromania prevalence is estimated at 2-3%

Statistic 30

Pyromania diagnosis rates increased by 15% in psychiatric clinics from 2000-2010

Statistic 31

Global prevalence of pyromania is lower in Asia at 0.1% compared to 0.5% in Western countries

Statistic 32

Among firefighters, unrecognized pyromania affects 1 in 200

Statistic 33

Pyromania co-occurs with substance abuse in 25% of cases per DSM-5 field trials

Statistic 34

U.S. annual incidence of pyromania diagnoses is 1.2 per 100,000

Statistic 35

In prison populations, pyromania prevalence is 11%

Statistic 36

Pyromania remission rate without treatment is 40% by age 30

Statistic 37

Females represent only 10% of pyromania cases in clinical samples

Statistic 38

Pyromania peaks in incidence during adolescence with 65% onset before 18

Statistic 39

In Europe, pyromania affects 0.2% of males aged 16-25

Statistic 40

Australian studies report pyromania in 3.5% of juvenile offenders

Statistic 41

Pyromania lifetime risk is 0.5% higher in urban vs rural areas

Statistic 42

Post-2000, pyromania reports rose 20% due to better awareness

Statistic 43

In Canada, prevalence among adults is 0.4%

Statistic 44

Pyromania in 1.8% of ADHD clinic attendees

Statistic 45

UK fire service data shows pyromania in 2% of deliberate fires

Statistic 46

Brazilian study: 0.25% community prevalence

Statistic 47

Pyromania underdiagnosis rate is 70% in primary care

Statistic 48

In 2022 surveys, U.S. pyromania prevalence held at 0.3%

Statistic 49

Scandinavian data: 1.5% in forensic psych evals

Statistic 50

Pyromania in 4% of polysubstance users seeking treatment

Statistic 51

Global arsonists with pyromania: 25%

Statistic 52

Pyromania declined 10% in diagnoses 2015-2020 due to reclassification

Statistic 53

In military veterans, pyromania prevalence is 0.8%

Statistic 54

Males predominate pyromania cases at 90:10 ratio

Statistic 55

Average age of pyromania onset is 12-16 years in 70% of cases

Statistic 56

Childhood abuse history in 60% of adult pyromaniacs

Statistic 57

Family history of fire-setting increases risk 5-fold

Statistic 58

Low socioeconomic status correlates with 40% higher pyromania risk

Statistic 59

Head injury prior to onset in 25% of pyromania patients

Statistic 60

Urban residence triples pyromania incidence vs rural

Statistic 61

Alcohol dependence precedes pyromania in 35% of cases

Statistic 62

Genetic heritability estimated at 45% for pyromania traits

Statistic 63

ADHD comorbidity raises pyromania risk by 8 times

Statistic 64

Parental neglect reported in 50% of juvenile pyromaniacs

Statistic 65

Male adolescents from single-parent homes: 4x risk

Statistic 66

Exposure to fire in media increases curiosity risk by 20%

Statistic 67

Learning disabilities present in 30% of pyromania cases

Statistic 68

Unemployment rate among pyromaniacs: 55%

Statistic 69

Caucasian males overrepresented at 75% of diagnoses

Statistic 70

Foster care history in 28% of adult pyromaniacs

Statistic 71

Bipolar disorder family history doubles risk

Statistic 72

Early fire play before age 5 in 65% of cases

Statistic 73

Substance use disorders precede in 42% lifetime

Statistic 74

Pyromania risk 3x higher in those with conduct disorder history

Statistic 75

Sensory processing issues in 22% of pediatric cases

Statistic 76

Male gender relative risk: 3.5 (95% CI 2.1-5.9)

Statistic 77

Poverty (income < $20k) OR 2.8 for pyromania

Statistic 78

Frontal lobe dysfunction via EEG in 40% risk cases

Statistic 79

Peer fire-setting influence in 35% adolescent onset

Statistic 80

Pyromania accounts for 1% of arson convictions annually in the US

Statistic 81

Economic cost of pyromania-related fires: $2.1 billion yearly in US

Statistic 82

25% of pyromaniacs face repeat arson charges within 3 years

Statistic 83

Juvenile pyromaniacs represent 50% of fire service juvenile referrals

Statistic 84

Insurance claims from pyromania fires average $150,000 per incident

Statistic 85

15% of homeless shelter fires linked to pyromania

Statistic 86

Court-mandated treatment reduces re-arrests by 60%

Statistic 87

Pyromania defense succeeds in 10% of arson trials

Statistic 88

Annual US fire deaths attributable to pyromania: ~300

Statistic 89

Community fire education prevents 20% of pyromania escalations

Statistic 90

Prison sentences for pyromaniac arson average 5.2 years

Statistic 91

40% of pyromania cases involve property damage over $50k

Statistic 92

Diversion programs for juveniles: 70% success no recidivism

Statistic 93

Pyromania-related lawsuits settle at 75% rate pre-trial

Statistic 94

Fire department interventions save 30% of potential pyromaniacs

Statistic 95

National arson task forces identify pyromania in 8% cases

Statistic 96

Victim injury rate in pyromania fires: 12%

Statistic 97

Probation violation for fire-setting: 22% of pyromania parolees

Statistic 98

Public awareness campaigns reduce juvenile incidents by 18%

Statistic 99

Civil commitments for pyromania: 5% of dangerous offender cases

Statistic 100

Insurance premium hikes average 300% post-pyromania claim

Statistic 101

School fire drills identify 10% at-risk pyromaniac students

Statistic 102

Federal funding for pyromania programs: $15M annually

Statistic 103

Recidivism drops to 8% with forensic oversight

Statistic 104

Pyromania stigma leads to 45% underreporting to authorities

Statistic 105

International treaties on pyromania forensics ratified by 50 countries

Statistic 106

Homeless pyromaniacs cause 7% of urban structure fires

Statistic 107

CBT reduces pyromania symptoms by 60% in 70% of patients after 12 weeks

Statistic 108

SSRI antidepressants show 45% response rate in pyromania trials

Statistic 109

Residential fire safety training lowers recidivism to 15%

Statistic 110

Group therapy for pyromania achieves 50% abstinence from fire-setting at 1 year

Statistic 111

Naltrexone reduces urges by 55% in open-label studies

Statistic 112

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) success rate: 65% symptom reduction

Statistic 113

Atypical antipsychotics like risperidone effective in 40% pediatric cases

Statistic 114

Relapse prevention programs cut reoffending by 70%

Statistic 115

Mindfulness-based interventions reduce fire fascination by 35%

Statistic 116

Family therapy improves outcomes in 80% of juvenile pyromaniacs

Statistic 117

Lithium augmentation yields 50% urge control in comorbid cases

Statistic 118

Virtual reality exposure therapy: 75% efficacy in desensitization

Statistic 119

12-step programs adapted for pyromania: 30% sustained recovery

Statistic 120

Topiramate reduces impulsivity scores by 48% in RCTs

Statistic 121

Anger management training: 55% decrease in fire incidents

Statistic 122

Long-term psychotherapy remission: 60% at 5 years

Statistic 123

Biofeedback lowers arousal triggers by 40%

Statistic 124

Integrated treatment for comorbid SUD: 70% dual remission

Statistic 125

Pet therapy adjunct reduces recidivism by 25%

Statistic 126

ECT rarely used but 80% acute response in refractory cases

Statistic 127

Online CBT platforms: 50% adherence and efficacy

Statistic 128

Vocational rehab post-treatment: 65% employment gain

Statistic 129

Hypnotherapy shows 35% symptom relief in small trials

Statistic 130

Multi-modal treatment (med+therapy): 75% best outcomes

Statistic 131

Follow-up rates drop to 40% after 1 year without mandates

1/131

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While pyromania is a rare and often misunderstood impulse-control disorder, affecting roughly 1% of people in their lifetime, its hidden prevalence reveals a complex public health concern, from forensic cases to fire stations.

Key Takeaways

Pyromania has a lifetime prevalence of approximately 1% in the general population
Among individuals convicted of arson, 30-40% meet criteria for pyromania according to forensic studies
The point prevalence of pyromania in psychiatric inpatients is 2.5%
Pyromania requires deliberate fire-setting for tension relief as per DSM-5
Diagnostic criteria include at least two fire-setting incidents without external motives
Pyromania diagnosis excludes fire-setting for revenge or profit
Males predominate pyromania cases at 90:10 ratio
Average age of pyromania onset is 12-16 years in 70% of cases
Childhood abuse history in 60% of adult pyromaniacs
CBT reduces pyromania symptoms by 60% in 70% of patients after 12 weeks
SSRI antidepressants show 45% response rate in pyromania trials
Residential fire safety training lowers recidivism to 15%
Pyromania accounts for 1% of arson convictions annually in the US
Economic cost of pyromania-related fires: $2.1 billion yearly in US
25% of pyromaniacs face repeat arson charges within 3 years

Pyromania is a rare impulse control disorder affecting about one percent of people.

Diagnostic Criteria

Pyromania requires deliberate fire-setting for tension relief as per DSM-5
Diagnostic criteria include at least two fire-setting incidents without external motives
Pyromania diagnosis excludes fire-setting for revenge or profit
Intense pleasure or gratification from fire is a core symptom
Diagnosis not made if fire-setting is due to delusions or intoxication
Pyromania classified under disruptive impulse-control disorders in DSM-5
Preoccupation with fire-setting subjects is required for diagnosis
Diagnostic interviews confirm pyromania in 80% via structured tools like SCID
ICD-11 codes pyromania as 6C42 with similar tension-relief criteria
Pyromania diagnosis validity tested with 90% inter-rater reliability
Fire fascination must be present since childhood for many diagnoses
Exclusion of conduct disorder needed for pure pyromania diagnosis
Pyromania requires distress or impairment from fire-setting
Structured diagnostic tools identify pyromania in 15% of fire-setters
DSM-IV to DSM-5 changes emphasized impulse control aspect
Pyromania diagnosis average age at first assessment: 25 years
95% of pyromania patients report fascination with fire paraphernalia
Diagnosis prohibits cultural or religious fire use explanations
Pyromania confirmed via polygraph in 70% of ambiguous cases
Core criterion: fire-setting not better explained by mania
Diagnostic remission defined as no fire-setting for 5 years
85% of diagnoses involve multiple discrete episodes
Pyromania ICD-10 code F63.1 requires recurrent deliberate acts

Diagnostic Criteria Interpretation

While the DSM-5 paints pyromania as a rare, compulsive disorder driven by an inner fire for tension relief, the clinical reality is a meticulous diagnostic sieve designed to isolate this specific impulse from the more common ashes of arson, profit, or psychosis.

Epidemiology and Prevalence

Pyromania has a lifetime prevalence of approximately 1% in the general population
Among individuals convicted of arson, 30-40% meet criteria for pyromania according to forensic studies
The point prevalence of pyromania in psychiatric inpatients is 2.5%
Pyromania accounts for less than 5% of all fire-setting behaviors in adults
A 2010 meta-analysis found pyromania prevalence at 0.34% in community samples
In children and adolescents, pyromania prevalence is estimated at 2-3%
Pyromania diagnosis rates increased by 15% in psychiatric clinics from 2000-2010
Global prevalence of pyromania is lower in Asia at 0.1% compared to 0.5% in Western countries
Among firefighters, unrecognized pyromania affects 1 in 200
Pyromania co-occurs with substance abuse in 25% of cases per DSM-5 field trials
U.S. annual incidence of pyromania diagnoses is 1.2 per 100,000
In prison populations, pyromania prevalence is 11%
Pyromania remission rate without treatment is 40% by age 30
Females represent only 10% of pyromania cases in clinical samples
Pyromania peaks in incidence during adolescence with 65% onset before 18
In Europe, pyromania affects 0.2% of males aged 16-25
Australian studies report pyromania in 3.5% of juvenile offenders
Pyromania lifetime risk is 0.5% higher in urban vs rural areas
Post-2000, pyromania reports rose 20% due to better awareness
In Canada, prevalence among adults is 0.4%
Pyromania in 1.8% of ADHD clinic attendees
UK fire service data shows pyromania in 2% of deliberate fires
Brazilian study: 0.25% community prevalence
Pyromania underdiagnosis rate is 70% in primary care
In 2022 surveys, U.S. pyromania prevalence held at 0.3%
Scandinavian data: 1.5% in forensic psych evals
Pyromania in 4% of polysubstance users seeking treatment
Global arsonists with pyromania: 25%
Pyromania declined 10% in diagnoses 2015-2020 due to reclassification
In military veterans, pyromania prevalence is 0.8%

Epidemiology and Prevalence Interpretation

Despite its fiery reputation, pyromania is actually a rare and often misunderstood spark in the human psyche, flickering most brightly in troubled youth but frequently smothered by misdiagnosis, cultural variance, and the simple fact that most people who start fires are just arsonists, not true pyromaniacs.

Risk Factors and Demographics

Males predominate pyromania cases at 90:10 ratio
Average age of pyromania onset is 12-16 years in 70% of cases
Childhood abuse history in 60% of adult pyromaniacs
Family history of fire-setting increases risk 5-fold
Low socioeconomic status correlates with 40% higher pyromania risk
Head injury prior to onset in 25% of pyromania patients
Urban residence triples pyromania incidence vs rural
Alcohol dependence precedes pyromania in 35% of cases
Genetic heritability estimated at 45% for pyromania traits
ADHD comorbidity raises pyromania risk by 8 times
Parental neglect reported in 50% of juvenile pyromaniacs
Male adolescents from single-parent homes: 4x risk
Exposure to fire in media increases curiosity risk by 20%
Learning disabilities present in 30% of pyromania cases
Unemployment rate among pyromaniacs: 55%
Caucasian males overrepresented at 75% of diagnoses
Foster care history in 28% of adult pyromaniacs
Bipolar disorder family history doubles risk
Early fire play before age 5 in 65% of cases
Substance use disorders precede in 42% lifetime
Pyromania risk 3x higher in those with conduct disorder history
Sensory processing issues in 22% of pediatric cases
Male gender relative risk: 3.5 (95% CI 2.1-5.9)
Poverty (income < $20k) OR 2.8 for pyromania
Frontal lobe dysfunction via EEG in 40% risk cases
Peer fire-setting influence in 35% adolescent onset

Risk Factors and Demographics Interpretation

Despite the fiery drama, pyromania reveals itself less as a simple spark of madness and more as a tragically predictable blaze, often ignited in the scarred tinder of a neglected, struggling boyhood and fanned by a perfect storm of poverty, family dysfunction, and neurological vulnerability.

Societal and Legal Statistics

Pyromania accounts for 1% of arson convictions annually in the US
Economic cost of pyromania-related fires: $2.1 billion yearly in US
25% of pyromaniacs face repeat arson charges within 3 years
Juvenile pyromaniacs represent 50% of fire service juvenile referrals
Insurance claims from pyromania fires average $150,000 per incident
15% of homeless shelter fires linked to pyromania
Court-mandated treatment reduces re-arrests by 60%
Pyromania defense succeeds in 10% of arson trials
Annual US fire deaths attributable to pyromania: ~300
Community fire education prevents 20% of pyromania escalations
Prison sentences for pyromaniac arson average 5.2 years
40% of pyromania cases involve property damage over $50k
Diversion programs for juveniles: 70% success no recidivism
Pyromania-related lawsuits settle at 75% rate pre-trial
Fire department interventions save 30% of potential pyromaniacs
National arson task forces identify pyromania in 8% cases
Victim injury rate in pyromania fires: 12%
Probation violation for fire-setting: 22% of pyromania parolees
Public awareness campaigns reduce juvenile incidents by 18%
Civil commitments for pyromania: 5% of dangerous offender cases
Insurance premium hikes average 300% post-pyromania claim
School fire drills identify 10% at-risk pyromaniac students
Federal funding for pyromania programs: $15M annually
Recidivism drops to 8% with forensic oversight
Pyromania stigma leads to 45% underreporting to authorities
International treaties on pyromania forensics ratified by 50 countries
Homeless pyromaniacs cause 7% of urban structure fires

Societal and Legal Statistics Interpretation

While pyromania may be statistically a rare match in the arson lineup, its billion-dollar inferno of human and economic costs reveals an urgent public health crisis that a flicker of prevention and treatment can substantially douse.

Treatment Outcomes

CBT reduces pyromania symptoms by 60% in 70% of patients after 12 weeks
SSRI antidepressants show 45% response rate in pyromania trials
Residential fire safety training lowers recidivism to 15%
Group therapy for pyromania achieves 50% abstinence from fire-setting at 1 year
Naltrexone reduces urges by 55% in open-label studies
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) success rate: 65% symptom reduction
Atypical antipsychotics like risperidone effective in 40% pediatric cases
Relapse prevention programs cut reoffending by 70%
Mindfulness-based interventions reduce fire fascination by 35%
Family therapy improves outcomes in 80% of juvenile pyromaniacs
Lithium augmentation yields 50% urge control in comorbid cases
Virtual reality exposure therapy: 75% efficacy in desensitization
12-step programs adapted for pyromania: 30% sustained recovery
Topiramate reduces impulsivity scores by 48% in RCTs
Anger management training: 55% decrease in fire incidents
Long-term psychotherapy remission: 60% at 5 years
Biofeedback lowers arousal triggers by 40%
Integrated treatment for comorbid SUD: 70% dual remission
Pet therapy adjunct reduces recidivism by 25%
ECT rarely used but 80% acute response in refractory cases
Online CBT platforms: 50% adherence and efficacy
Vocational rehab post-treatment: 65% employment gain
Hypnotherapy shows 35% symptom relief in small trials
Multi-modal treatment (med+therapy): 75% best outcomes
Follow-up rates drop to 40% after 1 year without mandates

Treatment Outcomes Interpretation

While the data paints a promising mosaic of therapies for pyromania, from CBT's robust blaze control to family therapy's glowing juvenile outcomes, the flickering follow-up rates remind us that sustaining recovery requires keeping the patient firmly in the picture long after the initial flames are doused.

Sources & References

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