Journal of Multidisciplinary Research at Trent
Volume 2 Issue 1
Journal Article
Retrospective Analysis of Renfield:
The Reciprocal Relationship Between
Mental Illness and Vampirism
Erika Crowleya*
a
Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive,
Peterborough, K9J 0G2, Ontario, Canada
Received: May 1, 2019; Accepted: December 22, 2019; Published: December 31, 2019
Abstract
R.M. Renfield is a character in Bram Stoker’s 1897 Dracula that has contributed to a growing body of literature
that uses the term Renfield Syndrome to describe real-life clinical vampirism. Renfield, an inmate of Dr. John
Steward’s lunatic asylum, has a growing obsession with immortality that leads him to consume living creatures for
their life force and eventually results in him licking Dr. Steward’s blood from the ground. Renfield’s zoophagous
behavior is encouraged by the vampire Count Dracula, with whom Renfield has a telepathic connection. The current
work explores the character Renfield in Dracula and identifies him as an anti-vampirism archetype that has a
reciprocal relationship between mental illness and vampirism because while his mental instability causes his
vampirism, the exacerbation of his mental instability is also the punishment for his vampirism.
Keywords: Renfield Syndrome, Vampirism, Vampire, Dracula, Renfield
Main Text
Renfield Syndrome, about R.M. “selfish” and “purposeful” (Stoker, 1897/2001,
Renfield in Bram Stoker’s 1897 Dracula, was p. 67). His growing obsession with immortality
coined by psychologist Richard Noll in 1992 to compels him to consume living creatures to
describe real-life clinical vampirism. Although obtain their life force. He starts with eating
rare and not currently classified in the flies. He then feeds the flies to spiders to eat
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental the spiders and subsequently feeds spiders to
Disorders, Renfield has contributed to a birds to eat the birds. He later requests a cat
growing body of literature by influencing likely for further consumption. Dr. Steward
researchers to study clinical vampirism. As an diagnoses him as a “zoophagous maniac” due
inmate of Dr. John Steward’s lunatic asylum, to his obsession with consuming more and
Renfield is first described as having “sanguine more life (Stoker, 1897/2001, p. 69).
temperament” and “great physical strength” Renfield’s cravings eventually escalate to true
(Stoker, 1897/2001, p. 59) as well as appearing clinical vampirism when he attacks Dr.
Crowley (2019) 178
Steward and is “licking up, like a dog, the background is a mystery, he claims to “have
blood that had fallen from [Dr. Steward’s] worshipped [Dracula] long and afar off,” much
wounded wrist” (Stoker, 1897/2001, p. 137). before Dracula travelled to England, indicating
Renfield corresponds telepathically with Count that Dracula and Renfield had a relationship
Dracula, who encourages Renfield’s before the events in the novel. Johnathan
zoophagous behaviour and sends him life Harker is found close to madness with “violent
forms in exchange for loyalty. Renfield’s brain fever” after his captivity in Dracula’s
zoophagous behaviour is a moral failing that castle (Stoker, 1897/2001, p. 97). If Renfield
likely results from mental instability and was once in a position similar to Harker’s, as
influence from Dracula. Since sanity is a seen in the 1992 film adaption Bram Stoker’s
virtue, the exacerbation of Renfield’s mental Dracula, then perhaps his later mental illness
illness is punishment for his vampirism. and vampirism are manifestations of traumatic
Renfield’s character is, therefore, a cautionary events that occurred in Dracula’s custody.
anti-vampirism archetype with a reciprocal Alternatively, an early mental instability and
relationship between mental illness and affinity towards life-consumption could have
vampirism wherein mental instability is both made Renfield vulnerable to Dracula’s
the cause of and the punishment for vampiric telepathic manipulation despite the distance.
behaviour. Regardless of Renfield’s backstory and
connection with Dracula, mental instability
Renfield likely had a predisposition to appears to be a precursor to his zoophagous
life-consumption idealizations and mental behaviour.
instability, and his association with Dracula
exacerbates his zoophagous behaviour to a Reciprocity between mental illness and
clinical concern. A review of scientific clinical vampirism is evident in Renfield’s
literature regarding clinical vampirism was progression, starting with initial the mental
completed (Figure 1) and seven cases were instability that results in zoophagous behaviour
isolated to exemplify the management of and continuing throughout the novel when
modern vampirism (Table 1). Oppawasky zoophagous and manic episodes are paralleled.
(2010) describes a patient with a history of Scholars believe that Renfield’s psychiatric
poor mother-child relations and drinking care in Dracula was influenced by Stoker’s two
animal blood since childhood (p. 61). Although younger brothers (physicians), eldest brother
this patient developed schizophrenia, he did (lunatic asylum surgeon), and brother’s wife
not become a vampire until joining a vampire who had a mental illness (Alliata, 2015, p. 180;
group. Similarly, Sakarya, Gunes, Ozturk, and Winter, 2012, p. 53). Few academics have
Sar (2012) describe a patient with an considered Renfield’s mental instability
association with multiple traumatic events who retrospectively. However, Alliata argues for a
subsequently developed dissociative identity diagnosis of manic depressive disorder, which
disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder accounts for his bouts of depression “periods
leading to vampirism (p. 323). Hervey, of gloom” (Stoker, 1897/2001, p. 69) without
Catalano, and Catalano (2016) describe a association to zoophagous behaviour and
patient who had blood-drinking idealizations mania “sudden passion” (Stoker, 1897/2001, p.
since childhood but only began acting on these 127) with association to his progression from
idealizations following a traumatic brain injury zoophagous behaviours to clinical vampirism
(p. 141). According to the literature, a and the proximity of Dracula (Alliata, 2015, p.
combination of mental illness and external 182). The reciprocity of Renfield’s mental
factors can catalyze and intensify vampiric state and clinical vampirism continues as
behaviour (Table 1). Although Renfield’s
JMRT 2(1): Page 177-182
Crowley (2019) 179
Renfield’s mental illness is exacerbated to human emphasizes the taboo and illogical
punishment for his vampirism. nature of vampirism because he does not
require blood to sustain his life. To fulfill the
As Renfield’s zoophagous behaviours cautionary tale, Renfield is challenged with the
develop into clinical vampirism, his mental ultimate punishment that is unequivocal
instability also advances to mental illness as a mental illness. Mental illness is a fate that
punishment for the clinical vampirism. Instead haunts nearly every living character in Dracula,
of providing treatment for Renfield’s for example, Johnathan Harker begs “God
exacerbated mental state, Dr. Steward enables preserve my sanity, for to this I am reduced”
and promotes the zoophagous behaviour as “it (Stoker, 1897/2001, p. 36) when in Dracula’s
would almost be worthwhile to complete the castle. Stripping sanity from an individual is a
experiment” (Stoker, 1897/20, p. 69) due to his seemingly fatal punishment. Renfield’s
ideals of personal gain from the discovery to concluding act of warning Mina and
“advance [his] own branch of science” (Stoker, subsequently getting killed by his “master”
1897/2001, p. 69). Renfield and Dr. Steward’s Dracula finalizes the failure of Renfield’s goal
similarities are paralleled through their times to achieve immortality, the immorality of
of mental instability. Renfield may have Renfield’s vampirism and the permanency of
manic-depressive syndrome (Alliata, 2015, p. his punishment.
182), and Dr. Steward may have depression
over the loss of Lucy (Stoker, 1897/2001, p. Renfield represents an anti-vampirism
59). In addition, they have an obsession with archetype with reciprocity between mental
zoophagous behaviour as Renfield needs to instability and zoophagous behaviour wherein
consume life, and Dr. Steward needs to mental illness is both the cause of and
understand Renfield’s need to consume life punishment for vampirism. Consistent with
(Stoker, 1897/2001, p. 69). Both men also use modern understandings of clinical vampirism,
scientific methodologies to obsessively Renfield likely tended towards mental
document their test subjects as Renfield studies instability and life-consumption idealizations,
his various life forms, and Dr. Steward studies and correspondence with Dracula intensified
Renfield (Stoker, 1897/2001, p. 69). Renfield’s his zoophagous behaviour to clinical
immorality due to his vampirism is, therefore, vampirism. Mental illness and vampirism, in
the separating factor between Dr. Steward and association with Dracula’s presence, are
Renfield. Renfield is punished for his paralleled throughout the novel and can be
vampirism by a worsening mental state. explained retrospectively by the manic-
Renfield, not permitted to leave or be treated, depressive syndrome. Renfield’s punishment
is a prisoner at the lunatic asylum. Dr. Steward for his vampirism is his exacerbated mental
might have been more eager to treat Renfield’s illness, which was studied but not treated by
mental illness if Renfield’s vampirism was not Dr. Steward. Dracula’s rationality is
as interesting and morally compromising. countered with Renfield’s insanity to
highlight Renfield as an archetype for the
Stoker counters Dracula’s façade of worst-case-scenario of vampirism, making his
rationality with Renfield’s recognizable eventual death finalization of the immorality
insanity to highlight Renfield as an archetype of vampirism and the permanency of
for the worst-case-scenario or cautionary tale Renfield’s punishment. Renfield is an early
of vampirism. Dracula’s depiction as a depiction of the horrors that can be associated
supernatural monster sanctions unconscious with real-life clinical vampirism, and he
permission for the unethical acts of vampirism. exemplifies why these patients are of great
In contrast, Renfield’s position as a living
JMRT 2(1): Page 177-182
Crowley (2019) 180
clinical concern, which is why he continues to journal of psychiatry, 56(1), 47-48.
be the archetype for anti-vampirism today.
Newcomb, D. (1994). Vampires, Werewolves
_________________________________ and Demons: Twentieth Century
Reports in the Psychiatric Literature
Acknowledgements: The author would like (Book). The International Journal for
to thank Dr. Emily Bruusgaard for her the Psychology of Religion, 4(1), 55-56.
assistance and editorial comments.
Oppawasky, J. (2010). Vampirism. Annals of
Author Contributions: Master’s student the American Psychotherapy
Erika Crowley reviewed the literature and Association, 13(4), 58-63.
wrote the article.
Phang, C. K., Kayatri, S., & Ang, J. K. (2013).
Conflicts of Interest: The author has no A case of clinical vampirism in
conflicts to declare. Asia. Malaysian Journal of Medicine
and Health Sciences, 9(1), 87-89.
Funding: The author has no funding to
declare. Sakarya, D., Gunes, C., Ozturk, E., & Sar, V.
___________________________________ (2012). ‘Vampirism’ in a case of
dissociative identity disorder and post-
References traumatic stress disorder. Psychotherapy
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Alliata, M. V. (2015). Number one, the lunatic
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The Modern Library. (Orginal work
Coppola, F. F., & Stoker, B. (1992). Bram published 1897).
Stoker's Dracula. United States:
Columbia Pictures. White, M., & Omar, H. A. (2010). Vampirism,
vampire cults and the teenager of
Gubb, K., Segal, J., Khota, A., & Dicks, A. today. International journal of
(2006). Clinical vampirism: a review adolescent medicine and health, 22(2),
and illustrative case report. African 189.
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Winter, E. (2012). All in the Family: A
Hervey, W. M., Catalano, G., & Catalano, M. Retrospective Diagnosis of R. M.
C. (2016). Vampiristic behaviors in a Renfield in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.”
patient with traumatic brain injury Journal of Dracula Studies, 10(12), 53-
induced disinhibition. World journal of 61.
clinical cases, 4(6), 138.
Jensen, H. M., & Poulsen, H. D. (2002). Auto-
vampirism in schizophrenia. Nordic
JMRT 2(1): Page 177-182
Crowley (2019) 181
179 PubMed 212 Google
Inclusion criteria:
Results Scholar Results
§ English language
§ Original research article
Exclusion criteria:
§ Not English language
(German, Dutch, French)
391 Total results for title/abstract review § Not a original research article
(Review, thesis, protocol,
conference abstract etc.)
374 Excluded § Irrelevant, insufficient or
duplicated information
17 Results
for full-text
review
11 Excluded
1 Included with
manual search
7 Original research articles
Figure 1. Flow chart representation of the screening of the literature. A total of 391 results
were produced using a Google Scholar (179) and PubMed (212) title word search including the
terms “vampirism” or “Renfield” from January 1, 1999, to February 1, 2019. All works were
screened for relevance and seven case studies were included.
JMRT 2(1): Page 177-182
Crowley (2019) 182
Table 1. Summary of case studies that report vampirism. Data collection included patient
demographics such as age and sex, vampire classification, primary reasons for vampirism,
potentially triggering life events, associated mental illness, treatment, and condition status at the
time of publication.
Patient Condition
Reference, Vampire Reasons for Potentially Mental
(Age, Treatment Status at
Year Classification vampirism triggering life events Illness
Sex) Publication
(Jensen & 35 F Auto- Purification; N/A Schizophrenia Flupenthixole In
Poulsen, vampirism life-giving and remission
2002) elixir zuclopenthixol,
non-compliant.
Risperidone,
good response.
(Gubb, 25 M Psychic N/A Father murdered at Schizophrenia Risperidone, Ongoing
Segal, vampirism age 4; bullied; drug with anti- then
Khota, & use; behavioural social traits Flupenthixol
Dicks, 2006) disturbances; difficult decanoate.
relationships
(Oppawasky, 36 M Auto- Sexual arousal; Drank weekly shots of Schizophrenia 6 sessions of In
2010) vampirism, Empowerment; fresh animal blood, cognitive- remission
True Obsessive along with raw liver, behavioural
Vampirism need since childhood; Cold therapy, good
and distant mother- response.
child relationship;
Joined vampire group
(White & 15 M Auto- Enjoys the Drug abuse N/A Lost to follow N/A
Omar, 2010) vampirism taste; N/A up
obsessive need
(Sakarya, 23 M Auto- Obsessive Witnessed murder of Dissociative Supportive Vampirism
Gunes, vampirism, need uncle, violent death by Identity interviews, in
Ozturk, & True a friend and death of Disorder, olanzapine, remission;
Sar, 2012) Vampirism 4-month daughter; Post- paroxetine, dissociative
Mother had a history Traumatic naltrexone, symptoms
of psychotic episodes Stress then Sodium ongoing
Disorder valproate was
added.
(Phang, 24 F Auto- Enjoys the Strained family No history of Supportive In
Kayatri, & vampirism taste; relationships, mental counselling, remission
Ang, 2013) obsessive need neglection disorder good response.
(Hervey, 38 F Auto- Enjoys the Idealizations since Traumatic Cognitive Ongoing,
Catalano, & vampirism taste; adolescence but not Brain Injury- behaviour reduced
Catalano, obsessive need acted upon induced therapy
2016) N/A disinhibition;
Gender
Identity
Disorder
JMRT 2(1): Page 177-182
