HOMOEOPATHY FOR PYROMANIA

Pyromania means an obsessive desire to set fire to things. It is a rare pathological disorder characterized by intentional and repeated fire setting.  People with pyromania are deeply fascinated by fire , and related paraphernalia.  They may experience a feeling of satisfaction or a release of built-up inner tension or anxiety once a fire is set.

Pyromania is characterized by two or more fire setting without an apparent motive. There is an intense urge to set fire to objects, with a feeling of tension before the act and a sense of relief afterwards. There is often a preoccupation with thoughts or mental images of fire-setting and situations surrounding fire –setting.

Symptoms

Pyromania can affect adolescents and adults, and is more common in males than in females- though it can occur in both. It is also common in people with learning disabilities and those who lack social skills.

Symptoms and signs of pyromania include

·         An uncontrollable urge to set fires

·         Fascination and attraction to fires and its paraphernalia

·         Pleasure, a rush, or relief when setting or seeing fires

·         Tension or excitement around fire-starting

·         An excessive or unnecessary amount of matches or lighters

·         Burn holes in fabrics and rugs

·         Burnt pieces of paper or other material in garbage cans or near a sink or stove

Someone with pyromania may seem obsessed with fire and fire fighting , frequently visiting fire departments , watching fires, helping out after a fire, and even setting off false fire alarms.

Causes

The exact cause of pyromania is not yet known. Although the exact cause is unknown, pyromania is often associated with other psychiatric conditions, such as mood disorders or substance use disorders.

Starting fires in general, without a diagnosis of pyromania, can have numerous causes. Some of these include:

·         Having a diagnosis of another mental health condition, such as a conduct disorder

·         A history of abuse or neglect

·         Misuse of alcohol or drugs

·         Deficits in social skills or intelligence

 Because it is rare condition, not many studies have investigated the roots of pyromania. Some research has likened pyromania and other impulse control disorders to behavioral addictions; some expert have suggested that there may be a genetic link between such conditions.

Diagnosis

Pyromania is rarely diagnosed, in part because of the strict diagnostic criteria and lack of research. It is often hard to diagnose because someone would need to actively seek help, and many people don’t.

Sometimes pyromania is only diagnosed after a person goes in treatment for a different condition, such as a mood disorder like depression.

During treatment for other conditions, a mental health professional may seek out information about personal history or symptoms the person worries about, and fire –starting may come up. From there , they can further evaluate to see whether the person fits the diagnostic criteria for pyromania.

If someone is charged with arson, they may also be evaluated for pyromania, depending on their reasons behind starting the fire.

The diagnostic criteria for pyromania include:

·         An attraction to fire

·         Purposely setting more than one fire

·         Feeling excited or tense just before setting fire, and feeling relief or pleasure in the aftermath of a fire

·         The fire setting is not done for monetary gain or the improvement of one’s circumstances, for ideological reasons, to cover up criminal activity, to express anger or revenge, or as a result of a delusion, a hallucination or impaired judgment

·         The fire setting is not better explained by a maniac episode or other disorder

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

Homoeopathy today is a rapidly growing system and is being practiced all over the world. It strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual through promotion of inner balance  at mental, emotional, spiritual and physical levels. When pyromania   is concerned there are many effective medicines available in Homoeopathy , but the selection depends upon the individuality of the patient , considering mental and physical symptoms.

BELLADONNA:  Acuteness of all senses. Hallucinations and illusions. Changeable moods. Fear of imaginary things. Constant moaning. Disinclined to talk. Excitable, easily weeps. Starts in fright at the approach of others. Biting, stricking and tearing mania.

HEPAR SULPHURICUM: Dejected and sad. Depression, sure of death and desires it. Anguish in the evening and night with thoughts of suicide. The slightest cause irritates him.

ANTIMONIUM TARTARICUM: Great despondency. Fear of being alone .Anxious.  Fretfulness, whining, and crying before the attack of sickness. Frightened at every trifles. Apathy and easily annoyed. Quarrelsome. Peevish, whining and moaning. Melancholic, complains of numerous suffering. There may be a tendency to suicidal mania.

CARCINOSIN:  Anxiety of what might happen. History of emotional suppression and guilty feelings. Fears about health. Have obsessive –compulsive disorder. Sensitive and tender. Stress and anxiety. Destructiveness, range and cruelty about him or her. Suicidal tendency.

HYOSCYAMOUS NIGER: Very suspicious. Fears being alone, being pursued of water, being poisoned, being bitten. Fear of being bitten by beasts. Restless, jumps out of bed, wants to escape. Range with desire to escape, bite, fight insult, and scold and to kill. Erotic mania, exposes genitals, sings amorous songs.  

PHOSPHORUS: Anxious, fears being alone. Quickly prostrated by unpleasant impressions. Timid and irresolute. Excitable and impressionable. Melancholy, disinclined to work, study, converse. Weary of life. Clairvoyant. Over-sensitive to external impressions. Insanity with exaggerated idea of one’s own importance.

STAPHYSARIA: Sadness without any cause with irritability. Fear afraid of his shadow. Great indignation about the things done by others or by himself. Humiliation, deep guilt and shame. Very sensitive as to what others say about her. Effects of anger suppressed or reserved. Rape or sexual abuse. Violent outbursts of passion. Peevish, hypochondriacal. Gloomy and petulant, throws things.

STRAMONIUM: Great fear and anxiety. Fear of darkness. Rapid changes from joy to sadness. Religious insanity. Violent and lewd. Lascivious talk. Wants to kill people or himself. Has visual and auditory hallucinations.