What best describes pyromania?

Pyromania is best described as an impulse-control disorder characterized by a persistent, uncontrollable urge to deliberately set fires. Individuals with this disorder experience a strong impulse to ignite fires, and this behavior is not motivated by financial gain, sociopolitical reasons, or to express anger or vengeance. Instead, the act of fire-setting is often accompanied by feelings of tension or arousal prior to the behavior, and a sense of pleasure or gratification when setting or witnessing fires.

In distinguishing pyromania from other mental health disorders, it is important to note that it is specifically categorized as an impulse-control disorder and does not align with the definitions of anxiety disorders, personality disorders, or affective disorders. Unlike anxiety disorders, which involve chronic excessive worry, pyromania centers around the thrill and excitement of fire-setting. Additionally, while personality disorders focus on maladaptive patterns of behavior and interpersonal functioning, pyromania is not characterized by detachment from social relationships. Lastly, mood disorders are marked by significant mood fluctuations, which are not central features of pyromania. Therefore, recognizing pyromania as an impulse-control disorder helps clarify its unique characteristics and differentiates it from other types of psychological conditions.