Live Science is reporting that the 23 year-old man from Turkey began his bizarre addiction by cutting himself with a razor, then letting the blood drip into a cup so he could drink it. He eventually began to experience what is described as "compulsions" to drink blood that were "as urgent as breathing" and began turning to other sources.
According to the report released by the Journal of Psychtherapy and Psychosomatics, the man began stabbing and biting people in order to drink their blood. He even convinced his father to get him bags of blood from blood banks.
Researchers say the man's "bloodsucking phase" lasted two years and was preceded by traumatic events such as the death of his 4 month-old daughter, the witnessing of the murder of his uncle and another violent killing.
The man also claimed to be tormented by an "imaginary companion" who he claims forced him to carry out violent acts and attempt suicide. He also suffered from memory lapses.
"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.
Ultimately, doctors at Denizli Military Hospital in southwestern Turkey diagnosed him with dissociative identity disorder (DID), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic depression and alcohol abuse. To their knowledge, he is the first patient with "vampirism" and DID.
"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," Live Science reports. "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."
Of course, the man is not a real vampire because they do not exist anywhere except in Hollywood - but I suppose this is as close as we'll ever get to a real one!
