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Impulse control and conduct

Pyromania

Deliberately and repeatedly starting fires, with tension before and relief or pleasure after, for no other reason than money or revenge.

Common signs

Intense fascination with fireDeliberate fire-settingRelief after setting them

Tips

For you

  1. Seek professional help immediately
  2. Remove lighters and sources of fire
  3. Specialist psychological intervention

For family and friends

  1. Remove lighters, matches and flammable items
  2. Constant supervision

When to ask for help

  1. If there is a risk of fire: 112
  2. Seek professional help immediately

Warning signs

List of warning signs. Tick "Yes" for the ones you have noticed. There are 8 questions and you get your result straight away. Your answers are not saved or sent.

0 of 8
1. Shows an intense fascination with fire
2. Has started fires on purpose
3. Feels tension before and relief afterwards
4. Is drawn to lighters, matches or fires
5. There is no other motive (money, revenge)
6. It has happened more than once
7. Is very interested in firefighters or fires
8. Denies or hides what happened

Free resources

Downloadable PDF sheetSigns, tips and resources to print or saveConfederación SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA (Spanish mental health confederation)Free external resourceAll our free guidesFree resource from Clínica Vivaldi

Related disorders

Oppositional defiant disorderImpulse control and conductIntermittent explosive disorderImpulse control and conductConduct disorderImpulse control and conductKleptomaniaImpulse control and conduct

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Reviewed by María Teresa Fernández Vicente, health psychologist and neuropsychologist (registration no. CV17304), in November 2026. Educational information prepared by the Clínica Vivaldi team based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment and cannot be used to diagnose.