[joshuas-mommy]

What would someone have wrong with them if they set a fire as an expression of anger?

[lizardlady]

First off, welcome to PC!

We can not offer you any sort of diagnosis. Firesetting can be a sign of different problems. If someone you know is setting fires because they are angry it would be a good idea to seek professional help.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by joshuas-mommy

What would someone have wrong with them if they set a fire as an expression of anger?

here in New York fire starting out of anger, is the crime of arson.

in the old mental disorder diagnostics that will soon no longer be used, there was a mental disorder called pyromania but it was classified as an impulse control disorders not an anger disorder and was placed ie in the same category of mental disorders as obsessive compulsive disorder, kleptomania, pathological lying, gambling, drug addiction and other issues that have to do with a person showing uncontrollable /unconscious behavior patterns that were impulses not a conscious act.

As of the last I knew pyromania has been removed from the DSM 5 so its no longer considered a mental disorder here in the USA. thats not to say treatment providers wont be able to help who over has this problem. people with this problem can still get help for their pyromania issues, it will just be treated according to the underlying issue that is causing the person to start fires. example here where I live and work those that were labled "pyromania" thier psychiatrists are updating the diagnostics to the new diagnostics of removing pyromania and placing them under the terms "conduct disorder" and "intermittent explosive disorder" if anger issues apply.

[The Friend]

I would like to look at it in a slightly different light if you would let me. Who would set any thing on fire on purpose just because they are angry? May I use a different word.., more closer to the heart of the offender, it could possibly be an 'unbearable emotional pain'. Something far beyond just anger and the manifestation of it in setting something or someone on fire, which is the problem to be dealt with. If you or someone else wants to set things on fire, I do not think reporting to the authorities would be a long term solution, while it might be a safety measure, according to the situation. The question lies in whether you are concerned about the persons' health or what the person does as a result of his ill health?? Which is it? Much Love and God be with You. The Friend.

[Douglas MacNeill]

Originally Posted by joshuas-mommy

What would someone have wrong with them if they set a fire as an expression of anger?

When I was taking psychology as my minor (early 1990's), we used the term "disorders of impulse control" for phenomena like this.

In support of other posters to this thread:
1) The criminal act of setting fires, whether motivated by anger or by profit, is called arson.
2) The fire-setting may be a symptom of some other disorder; a thorough assessment by a psychologist or psychiatrist is in order. (correction: is indeed a symptom...)

One more thing, now that I noticed it: Welcome to Psych Central!

[venusss]

Originally Posted by joshuas-mommy

What would someone have wrong with them if they set a fire as an expression of anger?

They are Greek or French (that in case if setting of fire is accompanied by building baricades).

[TheDragon]

Seriously though that's a rather broad question. Lots of people do that in political protests...or when things just get out of hand. We're talking about anything from a pyromaniac to someone who's angry with their government.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by TheDragon

Seriously though that's a rather broad question. Lots of people do that in political protests...or when things just get out of hand. We're talking about anything from a pyromaniac to someone who's angry with their government.

The age of the person starting the fires is also important. Again, firesetting is a sign/symptom of many different things.

[ECHOES]

Originally Posted by joshuas-mommy

What would someone have wrong with them if they set a fire as an expression of anger?

To the OP, I would focus on dysfunctional communication. A person who can't verbalize their anger, and find release and relief that way, might instead act out in anger and there are so many consequences of that.

Classification of behavior is not always helpful in treatment. Getting to the core, the inability to talk about what makes the person angry, how it feels to be angry, and what options there are, is what is helpful.