Self-professed vampires are having a hard time revealing themselves to physicians or therapists for fear of spreading... well, fear... or getting stereotyped.
D.J. Williams, director of social work at Idaho State University, and his co-researcher Emily Prior, found that people who considered themselves as "real" vampires - those individuals who need to consume fresh blood for energy - are afraid of telling professionals about their practices for fear of reaping negative reactions, like fear, ridicule, or even being diagnosed with mental problem.
Williams further explored on personalities that are way beyond what's normal and common.
"We live in an age of technology and live in a time when people can select new, alternate identities to fit how they understand themselves better," Williams wrote.
Williams' belief was explicated at the article "Do We Always Practice What We Preach? Real Vampires' Fears of Coming out of the Coffin to Social Workers and Helping Professionals" with co-author Emily Prior.
"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 wrote.
Self-identified vampires need have different energy needs compared to normal people. They may have a different lifestyle but, just like any other human, they also require the help of counselors and professional to break free from this stigma. However, they fear that they would be prejudice, so they'd rather conceal their condition.
"People with alternative identities have the same set of issues that everybody has. People of all kinds sometimes struggle with relationship issues or have a death in (the) family or struggles with career and job-type issues," he emphasized.
"If clinicians are open and educated about this group they should be able to help the individual much better."
Williams, who interviewed self-identified vampires, learned that they do not want to be judged as evil or labeled as out of their mind.
