Main description:

Why have vampires become such a feature of modern culture? Can vampire-like conditions be explained by medical research? Is there a connection between vampirism and Freud?

The Psychology of Vampires presents a captivating look at the origins of vampires in myth and history, and the psychological theories which try to explain why they fascinate us. It traces the development of vampires from the first ever vampire tale, written by John Polidori in 1819, to their modern cultural legacy. Together with historical detail about Polidori's eventful life, the book also examines the characteristics of vampires, and explores how and why people might identify as vampires today.

From sanguinarians who drink blood, to psychic vampires who suck the energy from those around them, The Psychology of Vampires explores the absorbing connections between vampirism and psychology, theology, medicine and culture.

Contents:

Aperitif - The Vampires' Favourite Ice Cream

Chapter 1- Poor Polidori and the Human Jam

Chapter 2 The Early History of Vampires.

Chapter 3 Dracula on the couch

Chapter 4 - The doctor who wanted to be something different

Chapter 5 - The Vampire develops and the poet flees from the bailiffs

Chapter 6 - Dip the Pen in Blood

Chapter 7 - Theology, Child Abuse - and the vampire 'syndrome'

Chapter 8 - The First Proper Story

Chapter 9 - Sucking out energy - the passive aggressive personality

Chapter 10 - In Print

Chapter 11 - Vampires on the ward

Chapter 12 - A modern Oedipus, Bloodletting and three more deaths

Chapter 13 - Polidori's cultural legacy