[Mountaindewed]

Is there a specific mental illness where you want to be the hero and save people so you purposely do something like set a fire or cause some other kind of disaster or emergency?

I've heard about people doing this in fiction books, and it sounds like it would be caused by a certain disorder, but I can't figure out what it would be.

There was also this news story a number of years ago that talked about a boy who set a fire so he could be a hero.

I'm just wondering. I've flipped through the DSM IV before, but I don't recall reading anything about it.

The only thing I'm aware of that is kind of similar to that is munchausens by proxy, where someone will make another person sick in order to get attention from others. Usually it's a parent doing it to a child, and it can lead to innocent deaths if not dealt with.

I know Histrionic Personality Disorder centers around needing to be the center of attention, so someone with that disorder could potentially do some of the things you describe in order to be the person everyone's talking about. But a specific illness for needing to be a hero? I can't say that I know of one, but it is an interesting topic.

Wikipedia calls it Hero Syndrome.

Yes, I have heard of this hero thing before. Are you concerned about yourself? I have a compulsion to stand up for the little guy and those in trouble but I have never taken steps to create the situation.

[Sunflower123]

I think I saw an episode on Forensic Files where the guy was setting fires so he could "discover" them and be the hero. I take up for those that can't take up for themselves but I don't create the situation. I just knows how it feels not to be able to take up for yourself.

[Mountaindewed]

No I'm not concerned for myself. I was just curious.