Citation

Hollweg M. Gesundheitswesen 1994; 56(6): 330-334.

Vernacular Title

Brandstiftung--eine Storung der Impulskontrolle?

Affiliation

Psychiatrische Klinik, Universität München.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8061462

Abstract

Reviewing the literature the current knowledge about the motivational basis of arson is discussed. Fire-setters form a heterogenous group; they seem to commit their crimes for different reasons. Some of them are imbecile, some suicidal, and other showed autoaggressive behaviour in the past; sometimes a connection with sexual excitement can be observed. The criteria for the diagnosis "pyromania" used in the classification manuals DSM-III-R and ICD-10 are strict, in order to facilitate an operationalised diagnosis. Most of the fire-settings cannot be classified under this subcategory of "disorders of impulse control". However, impairments of impulse control are typical characteristics in most cases of arson.

Language: de