Vampires are not only found in fictional stories and movies, but a small percentage of people identify as vampires in real life, some drinking blood to maintain their spiritual and physical energy. Many of these self-identified denizens of the dark do not admit their practice to doctors, counselors or other health professionals for fear of being stigmatized.
Social media has made it easier for people with rare attractions and lifestyles to network with each other, both online as well as in real life. This can be helpful for people seeking support from others with similar interests.
"We really need to understand some of these new identities and new ways to identify ourselves, and some of these new identities do not fit into stereotypes. Helping professionals of all varieties need more education on these kinds of topics," D.J. Williams, director of social work at Idaho State University, said.
Real-world vampires claim they need to regularly recharge their energy to maintain their health. While some vampires do this with mental energy, others seek blood donations from donors. This population may be larger than many people realize and includes older people, as well as many youth.
"A lot of people probably assume they are younger kids or young people who watch Twilight or other pop-culture types of things. Yet the real vampire community, which is self-defined by people who claim the need for extra energy (either blood or psychic energy), tend not to fit that demographic stereotype," Williams said.
Vampires have the same issues as everyone else, including pressures related to stress, work and family issues. Researchers believe that if real-world vampires hold back information about their lifestyle from health-care professionals, it could prove harmful to their overall health. Williams and his team also stated that doctors and others in the wellness community could better serve patients by being open and accepting toward those who consider themselves to be vampires.
Idaho State University conducted interviews with vampires, who reported, nearly universally, that they were hesitant to bring up their lifestyle to therapists and doctors. These subjects reported fear they would be stigmatized, thought of as evil or diagnosed with severe psychological issues, potentially requiring hospitalization.
Although many people dress up as vampires, including wearing false fangs, they should not be confused with the smaller population that feels it needs to consume mental energy or blood.
The study of how self-identified vampires may feel stigmatized by admitting their lifestyle to health-care professionals was published in Critical Social Work.
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