'Vampirism’ in a Case of Dissociative Identity Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

A ‘vampirism myth’ has existed for centuries. Papers on the subject appeared in psychiatric journals in the 1960s and 1980s. A survey among psychiatrists suggested that ‘vampirism’ has always been associated with a ‘mental illness’ such as ‘schizophreniform disorders, hysteria, severe psychopathic disorder, and mental retardation’ or severe sexual offending. A link to dissociative identity disorder (DID), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or possible traumatic antecedents has never been made.

Keywords: vampirism, dissociation, trauma