What leads a teenager to become a pyromaniac, and what are the first signs?
Speaking earlier this morning on Real FM, prompted by the confession of a 14-year-old who admitted to starting 9 of the 14 fires in Theologos, child psychologist Alexandra Kappatou explained what can lead a teenager to become a pyromaniac, the signs parents should watch for, and how they can help their child.
As Ms. Kappatou explained, pyromania is a mental disorder in which a person develops a particular fascination with fire that eventually becomes an obsession. In reality, the disorder involves an inability to control the inner urge to start a fire. It’s understood that deeper issues often lie behind this disorder, such as psychotic disorders.
The Early Stages of a Pyromaniac
Ms. Kappatou explained that a child often shows early signs of pyromania. “Sitting around a fireplace and enjoying the fire is completely normal; however, a child with this disorder experiences an unusual pleasure at that moment. This is the first stage of awareness.
Next, the child begins to ‘converse’ with themselves, discovering what they are truly feeling in that moment. Then, they start experimenting at home. These experiments usually involve matches and lighters—in fact, the child becomes obsessed with them.
In adolescence, they engage intensely with fireworks and may even enjoy setting off firecrackers at school.
As they grow older, the pyromaniac experiences a heightened thrill in planning a fire. They then feel pleasure in watching it. Yet, at the end of the fire, they feel disappointment, which doesn’t last long, as they soon start thinking about how to plan the next one.
This is a very difficult condition to address because, at that moment, the person is not thinking about what or whom the fire harms. They lack empathy. And, of course, it’s not about arson—they don’t have any intention of gaining something.”
What Parents Should Watch For
The child psychologist clarifies that “the percentage of teenagers who develop this disorder is extremely low. Generally, this disorder coexists with other, often deviant behaviors and uncontrolled impulses.”
She advises: “If a parent notices from an early age that a child is aggressive, expresses violence, steals, or even mistreats animals—showing behavior without empathy—it’s essential to investigate what’s going on.
At these signs, parents should immediately seek help from a mental health professional, as these issues don’t resolve on their own as the child grows.”
Ms. Kappatou concludes that in the case of the 14-year-old, we cannot know exactly what’s happening, and a thorough evaluation is needed to help the child.
