Real-life 'vampire' addicted to blood, doctors say

By Megan Gannon
LiveScience

In a chilling case report, doctors in Turkey have described what they claim to be a real-life vampire with multiple personalities and an addiction to drinking blood.

The 23-year-old married man apparently started out slicing his own arms, chest and belly with razor blades, letting the blood drip into a cup so he could drink it. But when he experienced compulsions to drink blood "as urgent as breathing," he started turning to other sources, the doctors said.

The man, whose name and hometown were not revealed in the report, was arrested several times after stabbing and biting others to collect and drink their blood. He apparently even got his father to get him bags of the ghastly drink from blood banks, according to the report released Friday by the Journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. The case study was published last fall.

The doctors said they found traumatic events in the man's life leading up to his two-year bloodsucking phase. His 4-month-old daughter became ill and died; he witnessed the murder of his uncle; and he saw another violent killing in which "one of his friends cut off the victim's head and penis," the researchers write in the journal article. [The 9 Most Bizarre Medical Conditions]

The man had been seen talking to himself, and he claimed to be tormented by an "imaginary companion" who forced him to carry out violent acts and attempt suicide. He also had memory gaps in his daily life and reported instances of being in a new place without any idea of how he got there.

"Possibly due to 'switching' to another personality state, he was losing track during the 'bloody' events, did not care who the victim was anymore and remained amnesic to this part of his act," the report said.

The doctors, led by Direnc Sakarya, of Denizli Military Hospital in southwestern Turkey, ultimately diagnosed the man with dissociative identity disorder (DID), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic depression and alcohol abuse. To their knowledge, the man is the first patient with "vampirism" and DID.

Dissociative identity disorder was made famous by the story of Shirley Mason, or Sybil, who was diagnosed as having 16 separate personalities as a result of physical and sexual abuse by her mother. The authors of the vampire case study note that DID is often linked to childhood abuse and neglect. The blood addict's mother apparently had "freak out" episodes during his adolescence in which she attacked him, but the man also claimed to have no memory of his childhood between the ages of 5 and 11.

In a follow-up six weeks after he was treated, the doctors said the man's blood-drinking behavior was in remission, but his dissociative symptoms persisted. He also apparently insisted that his "drugs were merely sleeping pills, they would not cure him."

It's not clear whether the man suffered any health consequences because of his gruesome habit, but the human body isn't well adapted for digesting blood. While small quantities may be harmless, anyone who consumes blood regularly runs a risk of haemochromatosis (iron overdose) or contracting blood-borne diseases if they're sourcing it from other people.

And, of course, this man is not a true vampire in the mythical sense, a character most famously represented by Dracula and whose existence is tied to superstition.

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Wow, sucks to be him!

  • 13 votes
Reply#1 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 4:49 PM EST
Reply

Reminds me of the Chloe Moretz movie "Let Me In." Fine acting by the cast and chilling - not so much for the blood as for the moral issues involved. I never thought I could like a vampire movie, but this one is...well...different -- more of a drama than a classic horror film. BTW, the movie vampire is a real one.

  • 1 vote
Reply#2 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 6:27 PM EST

That was an excellent vampire movie :)

  • 3 votes
#2.1 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 6:31 PM EST

Try the much better swedish movie original. Let the right one in. The american version sucks. just a cheap remake.....

  • 3 votes
#2.2 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 8:38 PM EST

Actually I saw both and the Swedish version was way creepier than the American IMO. I don't particularly like subtitles though so I guess I liked the American version better.

That said I wish I hadn't read this story. I don't know how this information is going to do anyone any good although it is just sick enough that we will probably have "copy cats." Ick...

  • 1 vote
#2.3 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:52 PM EST
Reply

Gotta love the press. He's a "real-life vampire" because he wants to drink blood. If his insanity caused him to quack like a duck and waddle, would the press say that makes him a 'real-life duck'?

  • 25 votes
Reply#3 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 8:10 PM EST

Nice thing about people like him is blood is the best source for disease known to man. So he will probably end up with a Darwin award in time.

So unlike a vampire, it won't take a steak through the heart to off him. Although I would really like to see someone do it to him anyway out of spite. I hate wannabe vampires.

    #3.1 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:35 PM EST

    You do realize that by calling him a real life vampire they are using familiar icons as a means of .... oh never mind. Let's find any reason we can to dislike the media, even though you frequent it often.

      #3.2 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 10:03 AM EST
      Reply

      only in turkey... n yes, he's a victim

      • 1 vote
      Reply#4 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 8:39 PM EST

      Keep him FAR AWAY from his baby.

        Reply#5 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 8:59 PM EST

        wow. you clearly did not read the article. his daughter died, which is one of the reasons he is so messed up. :( its sad.

        • 13 votes
        #5.1 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:45 PM EST
        Reply

        Yes, he's a rel life vampire and the robber turned into a goat must be arrested! Seriously. Why haven't they chosen to say he's possessed by a blood-thirsty devil? I blame Twilight! LOL

        • 1 vote
        Reply#6 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 9:04 PM EST
        Reply

        Another BS story.

        • 7 votes
        Reply#7 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 9:07 PM EST

        Exactly, I too call BS on this story .... how much was he suppose to be drinking ? Anything more than about 6oz in the stomach would cause vomiting. It is an automatic defense mechanism of the body to protect itself.

        • 6 votes
        #7.1 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:29 PM EST
        Reply

        Actually, to tell the truth everyone is a blood addict. Everyone has blood flowing in their vanes, and without blood you die...

        • 4 votes
        Reply#8 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 9:10 PM EST

        ok I feel dumber for reading your comment...

        *veins

        not to be a spelling nazi, sorry.

          #8.1 - Mon Feb 18, 2013 4:30 PM EST
          Reply

          bla bla bla blllech I want to suck your..blech..

          • 2 votes
          Reply#9 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 9:28 PM EST

          just average BS from whackoville middle east...I see he also has good friends that do other normal things..

          • 1 vote
          Reply#10 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 9:29 PM EST

          Ronyv,

          Turkey is on the cusp of two continents, Europe and Asia. The Middle East it isn't. Its EU membership is pending. Your blind ignorant hatred towards all Muslims is showing; that's the group you're probably referring to. Get your bigotry right, at least.

          • 6 votes
          #10.1 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 11:38 PM EST
          Reply

          SMH!!!!! I truly hate the media....

            Reply#11 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:00 PM EST

            Slowly but surely the world is being taken over by mental cases!

              Reply#12 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:21 PM EST

              the author of this story is very sensationalist and lazy. I am disappointed by how lazy this article is and that it is even posted on a "respected" site. to source Sybil as if it is fact is insane. That book, the therapist, Sybil herself and the writer of the book were all discredited years ago. To source it to validate DID (a very controversial diagnosis) is incredibly irresponsible.

              • 11 votes
              Reply#13 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:21 PM EST

              Agree. If one is going to source fiction for a putative news story involving multiple personality and vampires, why not a literary classic, such as Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hyde for the former and Bram Stoker's Dracula for the latter. Or the original account of Count Dracula, Skazanie o Drakule voevode (ca. 1486) by Feodr Kuritsyn, who actually served as Russian ambassador to Wallachia when Vlad Tepes Drakul was the ruler of Wallachia. But journalists today can apparently neither read nor write well, and are evidently uneducated in fiction and nonfiction.

                #13.1 - Fri Feb 15, 2013 2:41 PM EST
                Reply

                If we armed everyone in Turkey then there wouldn't be no vampires! Say no to the communist Obama doctrine! Murica!

                • 1 vote
                Reply#14 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:25 PM EST

                *yawn*

                • 3 votes
                #14.1 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:31 PM EST
                Reply

                I would give him a highly nutritious liquid drink intravenously and have there be cranberry or?? that is the color of blood Let him think he is getting what his mind thinks it needs

                  Reply#15 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:49 PM EST

                  I have long canines and hair. Am I a real life werewolf? What KOOK in Turkey with a medical degree would pronounce him a vampire? Which one is really the whack job?

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#16 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 10:51 PM EST

                  Ok, this was in Turkey. But how many unknowns are walking the streets in America with his same symptoms ???And has mental problems has or owns a firearm. Makes you go HHHHHHUUUUMMMMM......All these vampire movies out now, probably some nutcases out there right now just sparkling in the sunlight.

                    Reply#17 - Fri Feb 8, 2013 11:42 PM EST

                    Wow, the level of ignorance in some of these comments is staggering. I like how so many act as though it
                    is all a joke of some sort; for the poor bastard underwent experiences that altered him to the point where he was no longer the same person. Whoever said "mentals are taking over!", you're a callous f**k who obvious had plenty of roses and rainbows.. And why is it this case is considered to be "made-up", and not the story of 200 people dying in S.America of FIRE from FIREWORKS who couldn't find the same way out that they came in? With only about a thousand ppl no less so be kinda hard to not lead a chain in smoke after one got out (remember our last 4th of July? Really patriotic huh? but no, you heard S.America story for one day and it disappeared) I feel even more sorry for his victims. What's best though is that some of you think that this can't happen in America where women have shoved their own babies in the oven and ate their brains but no this kind simply CAN'T happen in America...crawl out from under your umbrella and read your local newspaper once in a while.

                    • 6 votes
                    Reply#18 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 12:08 AM EST

                    He must of been bit by a Zombie too, because of course they are as real as vampires and werewolves. Fricking idiot got exactly what he wanted, he is now known all over the world thanks to lowlife media reporting by NBC news. (even if the butter is sliding off his noodles) He was probably raped by a vampire when he was in his early teens, hence the abuse and the excuse that every problem has. I love how no matter what the problem there is a Dr there to make an excuse for it. That's the reason our children and teens in the US are the way they are because there are excuses made for everything they do wrong. That person killed 27 people because he had a fart crossways, so he only needs a hug and to be told "its all right" with a kiss on the cheek.

                      Reply#19 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 12:12 AM EST

                      Actually we should applaud this guy. People are way too normal; it's boring. He's got some real stories to tell his grandchildren. That head and penis cutting-off one will really get 'em going!

                        #19.1 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 12:34 AM EST
                        Reply

                        Wait!!!! What about garlic??? Does he have an aversion to garlic!!!!

                        I NEED TO KNOW!!!! ALL THESE YEARS!!! STRINGING IT AROUND MY HOUSE AND NECK!!! GIVE US MORE INFORMATION!!! YOU NEED TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC!!! CAN HE TURN INTO A BAT???? DID YOU EVEN TEST FOR THAT???? SUPPLY EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD WITH A TENNIS RACQUET!!!

                        Phew...okay, got that off my chest. Time for another cup of coffee. :)

                        • 5 votes
                        Reply#20 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 12:14 AM EST

                        LMAO hahahahahahahahahahahahah your funny............forgot about the garlic. or does he wear a magic ring like vampire diaries where they can come out during the daytime lol...hey save the garlic i can use it for my pork roast. lol

                        • 1 vote
                        #20.1 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 1:56 AM EST

                        Plenty of garlic for all humans and fly by night visitors. Although, I hear they prefer a vintage red and a good stake......oops, I meant steak. LOL

                        • 1 vote
                        #20.2 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 4:49 AM EST
                        Reply

                        Sounds like a few lawyers that I know, they are bloodsuckers. Hear the one about two lawyers sitting at a bar.Two beautiful girls walk in and one lawyer says to the other,"Let's scr@w those girls", other lawyer says ok, then leans overs and ask, "Out of what?"

                        • 1 vote
                        Reply#21 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 12:41 AM EST

                        That puts a whole new twist on having a "Bloody Mary"...

                          Reply#22 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 1:22 AM EST

                          ouch fool !!! you just bit my neck ???????? get the can of raid lol

                            Reply#23 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 1:43 AM EST

                            The man had been seen talking to himself, and he claimed to be tormented by an "imaginary companion"

                            Or maybe he's just a Christian? Catholics in particular are known to drink the blood of their imaginary friend.

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#24 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 3:50 AM EST

                            Sorry Skrekk! They don't do that! Stop reading to much comicbook's!!!!!!

                            • 1 vote
                            #24.1 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 4:02 AM EST

                            Guamboy, it sounds like you're unfamiliar with the Catholic doctrine of "transubstantiation".

                            Not only are Catholics literally vampires, but they're literally cannibals.

                            • 3 votes
                            #24.2 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 12:25 PM EST
                            Reply

                            Damn!!! He could of had a V8!!!

                            • 2 votes
                            Reply#25 - Sat Feb 9, 2013 3:59 AM EST
                            Reply
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