Abstract
Background: Myths about vampires have been part of the culture in Western society since ancient times. In recent years, there has been a recrudescence of interest in vampires among teenagers, who have embraced books, movies and television programs on this subject.
Method: This article will explore the history and origins of the vampire myth and through a psychoanalytic and psychodynamic perspective, will analyze the life and work of Bram Stocker, the author of the ever-popular novel Dracula. It will also analyze the many modern variations on the vampire metaphor and explain how the developmental struggles of adolescence can be easily displaced on to the figure of the vampire. It will present case material to illustrate the meaning of this myth to adolescents.
Conclusions: The myth of the vampire can become a useful therapeutic tool to understand and explore adolescent conflicts so that clinicians can potentially help their adolescent patients overcome resistance and explore issues that are often located outside of their conscious awareness.
Keywords: Myths, Dracula, vampires, psychodynamic, adolescents, fiction, psychological development.
Adolescent Psychiatry
Title:Vampires and Vamps: The Use of a Popular Metaphor in the Psychodynamic Understanding of Adolescent Conflict
Volume: 3 Issue: 3
Author(s): Eugenio M. Rothe
Affiliation:
Keywords: Myths, Dracula, vampires, psychodynamic, adolescents, fiction, psychological development.
Abstract: Background: Myths about vampires have been part of the culture in Western society since ancient times. In recent years, there has been a recrudescence of interest in vampires among teenagers, who have embraced books, movies and television programs on this subject.
Method: This article will explore the history and origins of the vampire myth and through a psychoanalytic and psychodynamic perspective, will analyze the life and work of Bram Stocker, the author of the ever-popular novel Dracula. It will also analyze the many modern variations on the vampire metaphor and explain how the developmental struggles of adolescence can be easily displaced on to the figure of the vampire. It will present case material to illustrate the meaning of this myth to adolescents.
Conclusions: The myth of the vampire can become a useful therapeutic tool to understand and explore adolescent conflicts so that clinicians can potentially help their adolescent patients overcome resistance and explore issues that are often located outside of their conscious awareness.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Rothe M. Eugenio, Vampires and Vamps: The Use of a Popular Metaphor in the Psychodynamic Understanding of Adolescent Conflict, Adolescent Psychiatry 2013; 3 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2210676611303030007
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/2210676611303030007 |
Print ISSN 2210-6766 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2210-6774 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
HSV Amplicons: Neuro Applications
Current Gene Therapy A Friend in Need May Not be a Friend Indeed: Role of Microglia in Neurodegenerative Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets An Update of the Review of Neuropsychological Consequences of HIV and Substance Abuse: A Literature Review and Implications for Treatment and Future Research
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Towards a “Metabolic” Subtype of Major Depressive Disorder: Shared Pathophysiological Mechanisms May Contribute to Cognitive Dysfunction
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Cognitive Effects of Nicotine: Recent Progress
Current Neuropharmacology Central Nervous System Abnormalities in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: New Concepts in Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Design High Temporal Resolution Neuroimaging of Attentional and Somatosensory-Motor Processing in the Human Brain
Current Medical Imaging Neurodevelopmental Animal Models of Schizophrenia: Effects on Prepulse Inhibition
Current Molecular Medicine The Emerging Role of Coenzyme Q-10 in Aging, Neurodegeneration, Cardiovascular Disease, Cancer and Diabetes Mellitus
Current Neurovascular Research Neuroimaging in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Current Medical Imaging Advances in the Understanding of the Cannabinoid Receptor 1 – Focusing on the Inverse Agonists Interactions
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Dopamine D3 Receptor: A Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Imaging of Organ Metabolism in Obesity and Diabetes: Treatment Perspectives
Current Pharmaceutical Design TRP Channels: New Potential Therapeutic Approaches in CNS Neuropathies
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Intracranial MR Dynamics in Clinically Diagnosed Alzheimers Disease: The Emerging Concept of “Pulse Wave Encephalopathy”
Current Alzheimer Research Serotonin Involvement in the Basal Ganglia Pathophysiology: Could the 5-HT2C Receptor be a New Target for Therapeutic Strategies?
Current Medicinal Chemistry From Physiome to Pathome: A Systems Biology Model of Major Depressive Disorder and the Psycho-Immune-Neuroendocrine Network
Current Psychiatry Reviews Host Neuro- Immuno-Endocrine Responses In Periodontal Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Methamphetamine and HIV Infection, Role in Neurocognitive Dysfunction
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Neuropsychiatric Disturbances in Alzheimer’s Disease: What Have We Learned from Neuropathological Studies?
Current Alzheimer Research