RENFIELD SYNDROME; SYMPTOPMS AND SCIENTIFIC CONFIRMATIONS.
First, it started with me licking off the blood from my wounds. I was just a little kid back then and boy! I enjoyed those moment.
I was curious.
I wanted to know thw taste of blood and experience the feeling of tasting blood. It was nothing special as I had expected. However, the not-so-special ‘thing’ soon became an addiction.
It is normal. I told myself. A lot of my classmates at school did it too.
Until one hot afternoon when my brother returned home injured while playing football. As I set my eyes on the fresh blood oozing out of his wounds, I swallowed hungrily. I never imagined I would be so hungry for my brother’s blood.
Immediately, I bolted straight into the room we shared. My brother didn’t enter the room until mother cleaned up his wounds and put a bandage on it. That night, I could not sleep. The smell of blood from my brother’s bandaged wounds kept me awake. This have never happened to me before.
Never ever!
My nose wasn’t sensitive either. I wondered how I was able to still perceive the smell despite the cold breeze from the AC. I did not tell anyone about it. It will disappear when I grow up. I told myself. But it did not disappear. In fact, I found myself intentionally getting injured so I could lick my own blood.
I thought that was the height of it until I turned 20. I attacked a man in the dark streets at night, stabbed him and drank blood from him. Guilt washed over me the next morning when the local newspaper announced him dead. I didn’t still tell anyone. I was afraid I would go to jail. This shouldn’t be real. It only happens in fantasy stories about vampires who fed on blood. Could I be one?
Years later, I am now a married man but just when I thought my addiction for blood would die, I suddenly found myself unable to make love to my wife without the sight of blood. I don’t want to injure her more than I already did or assault her.
At this point, I think I need help. Help me!
Have you ever found yourself in this position? It is a scientific condition known as Renfield Syndrome.
Renfield syndrome, also known as clinical vampirism, is a rare condition of being obsessed with blood. People with this rare condition have an unusual affinity for blood. Over 50,000 people have been recorded to have this condition. Most of the victims of this illness are noted to have had a bloody and traumatizing childhood that had most probably led to the sudden obsession for blood.
The symptoms of Renfield syndrome includes an affinity for your own blood. It is believed that people living with this rare condition drink their own blood and enjoy it.
Another symptom of this condition is that the infected persons feel sexually aroused at the sight of blood. These people enjoy intercourse only in a gruesome manner that involves blood drinking.
Also, people living with this condition enjoy bloodbaths. The feel of blood running down their bodies like rain thrills them and this often pushes them to showing the violent sides of them which include killing people for no apparent reason.
Another symptom displayed by these people is aggressive violence. In a bid not to run out of blood, these people attack others just to steal blood from them. It is also believed that they constantly dream about blood and just like an addiction to hard drugs, their entire body aches for blood if not take within hours.
How do I know if I have Renfield Syndrome?
The symptoms might come in late. Therefore, to prevent a late diagnosis, scientists have come up with questions one should ask themselves to determine if they are displaying symptoms of Renfield Syndrome whether consciously or unconsciously.
Do images of blood make me feel drawn to or aroused?
Do I find blood appealing on a sensory or aesthetic level? (i.e., enjoy the smell, etc.).
Do I occasionally have bloody fantasies that aren't specifically about hurting other people?
Do I feel lured to or aroused by visions of blood?
Do I find the sensual or aesthetic appeal of blood? (Example: savor the aroma, etc.)
Do I occasionally have violent fantasies that don't include harming others?
Do you stab yourself to get blood to drink?
Do you hurt animals (or do you intend to hurt animals) just to get their blood?
Have you ever intended to harm someone or intentionally hurt someone to obtain their blood?
Do you think consuming blood gives you extraordinary abilities?
Do you think that in order to exist, one must consume blood?
If the answer to more than half of these questions, then it is advised you see a qualified doctor or therapist. You can also see a psychiatrist.
The Renfield syndrome is seen only in men and has never been recorded to be seen in women. There is no clinical proof as to why it remains so. So far, there is no proven cure for this condition.
Writers Details:Nnamani Rita
Location:University Of Nigeria,Enugu State,Nigeria 🇳🇬.
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