What is the primary characteristic of pyromania?

The primary characteristic of pyromania is deliberate fire setting without an obvious motive. Individuals who exhibit pyromania are driven by a strong impulse to set fires, and this behavior is generally not motivated by financial gain, revenge, or other external pressures. Instead, the act of fire setting is often accompanied by feelings of tension or excitement beforehand, followed by relief or pleasure when the fire is set. This distinguishes pyromania from other behaviors linked to fire setting, where motivations might be clearer or related to specific external factors.

In this context, the emphasis on the absence of an obvious motive is crucial. Unlike arson, where the fire is typically set for specific intents like profit or to accomplish a goal, pyromania reflects a pathological desire to engage in fire setting with a lack of clear reasoning. This helps clinicians differentiate between those who engage in fire setting due to underlying psychological impulses (like in pyromania) and those who set fires for tangible benefits or purposes.