I'm no psychoanalyst but there must be some serious fuckedupness about someone who wants to burn down a building with 200 people inside at any given time. Are they just "having a laugh"? Are they just after a quick adrenaline buzz? Are they angry and want to rail against the system, world, etc.? I can't say that I am too chuffed about having the window frame downstairs from my office go up in flames. Any suggestions of what to do about the junior firestarter to ensure that he doesn't graduate?
#21 April 2005
Comments...
Do not worry, I think it is a fad, I started fires in my youth of various scales. I stopped after I burnt half my face and I looked like freddie Kruger, luckily the blistering went and my family believed I had scrubbed too hard at my acne outbreak.
Posted by: Dan | 10:17pm 21 April 2005
Well, I do have a degree in Psychology (albeit honourless).
So here goes:
Pyromania is an impulse control disorder, there is a release of tension when a pyro lights fire (a little like when you and I bust nuts... not together though...). They experience an inability to resist setting fires, and get gratification from watching them, as well. They do not feel remorse or regret for any part of the aftermath - from destruction of property to deaths. The main difference with other control disorders, is that the pyro may do planning of their arson in advance, which also brings them pleasure.
As for the causes. No one really knows. But I've got a pretty nifty treatment method:
Everytime a pyro lights a fire, burn 'em a little with it. Not alot!.. Just a little singeing and braising.
Until it hurts them.
Shouts out to K. Lorenz and K. Jung
Posted by: Dr. Ken Wong, MD | 11:05pm 21 April 2005