Clinical Lycanthropy: Terror and Delusions of Transformation

Clinical lycanthropy is a mental condition where a person believes they have turned, or are in the process of turning, into an animal.Photo byJp ValeryonUnsplash

Clinical Lycanthropy is a subcategory of DMS. Delusional Misidentification Syndrome (DMS) is a rare condition relating to the willful belief or denial of information despite there being convincing facts that prove the contrary. This includes Capgras Syndrome, where the affected individual truly believes that a friend or loved one has been replaced by an imposter.

Another DMS syndrome is Reverse-Inter-metamorphosis, where the affected individual feels that they have transformed or are in the process of transforming into an entirely different entity. Clinical Lycanthropy is a type of Reverse-Inter-metamorphosis where the individual believes they have turned, or are in the process of turning, into an animal.

Clinical Lycanthropy: Visions of the Devil

There is a case study of a 20-year-old man admitted to a mental institution after claiming to be a werewolf. He would run through hallways on all fours, claiming to have seen the devil in visions. He claimed to hear voices and would howl in his room at times. During questioning, it was revealed that he had a family history of bipolar disorder and that he had recently engaged in books and media primarily related to werewolves. His delusions would eventually cease after being prescribed an antipsychotic, but how does someone get to this point?

In the case study, Capgras syndrome is used as a comparison to help understand where the syndrome may originate. In Capgras, it is theorized that the delusion starts with dissonance in the part of the brain that deals with facial recognition. When an affected individual sees somebody familiar, they feel something is wrong or mismatched. This leads to the individual attempting to explain or rationalize the dissonance with their theories.

In the case of Clinical Lycanthropy, the affected person would look at themselves and feel that same dissonance. External stimuli paired with visual and auditory hallucinations could very well lead to an individual believing that they are transforming into a werewolf.

Clinical Lycanthropy: Prevention

Clinical Lycanthropy is an extremely rare and specific subcategory of DMS. It has very few mentioned cases in the modern age and is normally treatable with antipsychotics. Encountering a case of Clinical Lycanthropy is highly unlikely. However, it's an example of how people affected by similar disorders can become entrapped by their delusions. Afflicted individuals are unlikely to be able to notice something is wrong when their sense of self has been so heavily distorted. The support of others is paramount in diagnosing and treating these ailments.

Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician or other medical professional. Please speak with your doctor or therapist if you have any questions or concerns.

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Article originally written by Dylan Cargould.