Renfield syndrome’s cause is uncertain, but childhood trauma may play a role. It may be a complication of schizophrenia or a form of sexual deviancy. Those with the syndrome have a blood obsession and may become violent. It predates vampire fiction, and there are distinctions between it and a clinical obsession with vampires.
The cause of Renfield syndrome is largely uncertain. The rarity of the syndrome, combined with its lack of formal recognition as a clinical diagnosis, makes the condition difficult to study thoroughly. Richard Knoll, the first psychologist to actually study the syndrome, believed the condition resulted from childhood trauma. Today many psychologists believe it is a complication of schizophrenia or a form of sexual deviancy.
There is some evidence that childhood trauma plays a significant role in the development of Renfield syndrome. Several case studies of people with clinical vampirism report the violent death of a loved one in early childhood. Only in very few of these cases did the child actually witness the death. However, these individuals were fascinated by many things related to death, especially blood and corpses.
Conversely, those with Renfield syndrome who have gone from blood obsession to actual violence show clear indicators of schizophrenia. Delusions are common in clinical vampirism. Depersonalization of victims often occurs as does generally disorganized thinking. Individuals with this syndrome also have trouble thinking symbolically and may let go of blood in an attempt to prove that they or their victims actually exist.
Since there is clearly a sexual aspect to Renfield syndrome, classification of the condition as a form of sexual deviancy may be appropriate. Those with this syndrome universally experience sexual arousal at the sight or taste of blood. Sexual sadism is extremely common in these individuals as are rape fantasies. Necrophilia and self-harming masturbation rituals are also frequently observed in those with Renfield.
While it would be easy to believe that Renfield Syndrome is the result of popular vampire fiction, examples of clinical vampirism predate the genre. It is believed that Bram Stoker’s Dracula, largely considered the pioneer novel of the genre, was actually influenced by a psychological text with a brief description of the syndrome. The psychological and imaginary connection came full circle when Richard Knoll paid homage to Stoker by naming the syndrome after a character in his novel.
There are clear distinctions between those who suffer from Renfield syndrome and individuals who have developed a clinical obsession with vampires. While both conditions may come with delusions, an obsession with royal blood is a Renfield hallmark. Those with obsessions influenced by popular culture tend to focus more on common imaginary stereotypes of a vampire’s physical abilities and lifestyle.
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