[Moonsong]

A good book about psi-vamps (or "vampyres," as some prefer to be called) is Michelle Belanger's "Psychic Vampire Codex." It's written mainly as a guide by a vamp for vamps, but also has a lot of info for the interested layman. Has a pretty good section about how energy vampires do what they do, and how to protect yourself. The energy work in it is sound; I've used it myself and with groups of others, though I am not a psychic vampire myself (I think).

To clarify one of the things you said earlier about the two types of psychic vampires, there are really two different subcategories of intentional vampires. The first, like you described, are people who have learned to drain energy for their own purposes. The second are people who used to be unintentional psi-vamps, but learned to control their abilities so that they wouldn't unintentionally hurt others around them. They usually "feed" only on the willing, kind of like sanguinarians (though without any physical bloodletting).

It's my opinion that the latter category are better off. I know an unintentional psychic vampire who despite all evidence denies it to herself. Terrible things happen to and around her, because she tries to starve herself of the energy she naturally takes rather than learning to control it. So she gets weak, her immune system is bad and she has all kinds of physical problems. Then invariably she will hit her breaking point and basically end up taking in as much energy as she can all at once, which usually takes the form of either someone close to her getting ill (from her draining them unconsciously) or her having some big emotional crisis until everyone she knows devotes enough emotional energy and attention to her for her to calm down. Then the cycle repeats. Unfortunately, she absolutely refuses to accept what she is doing, even though she knows that she registers as a "black hole" for people who can see auric energy - a sure sign of a natural or unintentional psi-vamp.

[earthlydelites]

interesting read, thank you for posting it

[GoldDogs]

Very interesting. I know nothing about them, but do have a few questions.

Would these be the same type of people that pyschiatry defines as having "personality disorders"? The ones that used to be called sociopaths? (Not the more extreme psychopaths...but the ones that try to manipulate everyone around them to get what they want and have no concience about doing so - or the resulting impact on others?)

Or would they be the more *me me me...look at me* type personalities...who do whatever it takes to get attention?

Both of the personalities above drain others around them. Their energy level is usually very high..and they're exhausting to be around. There's always a crisis...which has to be attended to (by others) NOW!

Or are you talking about some other type of energy-draining?

[Moonsong]

Very interesting. I know nothing about them, but do have a few questions.

Would these be the same type of people that pyschiatry defines as having "personality disorders"? The ones that used to be called sociopaths? (Not the more extreme psychopaths...but the ones that try to manipulate everyone around them to get what they want and have no concience about doing so - or the resulting impact on others?)

Or would they be the more *me me me...look at me* type personalities...who do whatever it takes to get attention?

Both of the personalities above drain others around them. Their energy level is usually very high..and they're exhausting to be around. There's always a crisis...which has to be attended to (by others) NOW!

Or are you talking about some other type of energy-draining?

Actually, I am a psych major, so that question is right up my alley!

Both the kinds of people you describe are very emotionally draining. You describe two particular personality disorders - the first is "anti-social personality disorder" which is commonly called sociopathy. These people are not psychic vampires, but they can nonetheless be vampires in the metaphorical sense because they use and hurt others without any sense of guilt. Some people who are intentional psychic vampires and don't care about whom they hurt may also have this personality disorder, but it is not a prerequisite, nor are they by definition the same thing.

The second personality disorder you describe sounds like "histrionic personality disorder," in which the person constantly exaggerates her or his own emotional reactions, acts in an extreme, provocative or sexually suggestive manner and generally does whatever she or he can to remain the center of attention at all times. Again, these people are not by definition psychic vampires, though they are very draining on the patience, emotions and resources of those around them. Some unintentional psychic vampires, like the woman I described in my last post, may have this disorder as well, or at least exhibit traits associated with it when they are unconsciously draining energy from others.

So to answer your question, yes and no. I am talking about pranic or chi energy draining vampires, because that's the kind of vampire Ginicole brought up when she opened this thread. These people may or may not have any personality disorders. However, the people who do suffer from these personality disorders do have a draining effect on those around them, and it's entirely possible that there is a correlation between the disorder and being an actual energy vampire. But that would be entirely conjecture, since there is no way for the psychological community to test whether or not someone is an energy vampire, and then to compare it to the rate of incidence for these disorders.

[doodlebug]

Unintentional vampires attack unknowingly for several reasons. One, they can not produce enough psychic energy to survive and feel well. Another reason is because they have unconsciously learned how to take energy from others and they use it unknowingly to replace what energy they need to get by.

The second personality disorder you describe sounds like "histrionic personality disorder," in which the person constantly exaggerates her or his own emotional reactions, acts in an extreme, provocative or sexually suggestive manner and generally does whatever she or he can to remain the center of attention at all times. Again, these people are not by definition psychic vampires, though they are very draining on the patience, emotions and resources of those around them. Some unintentional psychic vampires, like the woman I described in my last post, may have this disorder as well, or at least exhibit traits associated with it when they are unconsciously draining energy from others.

You just described my mother.....

[GoldDogs]

That's ok doodle...the first one is my father. . .and he has a good dose of the second one too. Wonderful person to be around <<<<(sarcasm)

OK...so how would you know the difference between a psychic vampire and someone with a personality disorder?

This post has been edited by GoldDogs: 03 September 2006 - 05:35 PM

[Moonsong]

OK...so how would you know the difference between a psychic vampire and someone with a personality disorder?

Unless you can see auras or sense energy in some way, you generally can't. Most victims of psychic vampires don't realize what has happened to them.

Let me put it this way. Some people have personality disorders. Some people are psychic vampires. And some are both. If someone doesn't seem to act in a way that conforms to the descriptions of these disorders, but you still feel physically drained just from being around them, they might be a psi-vamp. If someone is emotionally exhausting and manipulative because they act in these ways, but you don't feel physically drained by them, then they probably just have a personality disorder.

Only a psychologist or psychiatrist can diagnose a personality disorder with any professional authority. There is no equivalent way to diagnose psychic vampirism, though if you can see auras they supposedly look like a black hole (drawing energy in rather than giving it out).

[Moonsong]

Ginicole, can you recommend any other good books on Psychic Vampirism? It's a topic of interest for me as well.

[Moonsong]

I have actually passed that one up on a few occasions because Konstantinos looks a little schlocky to me. I know it's not kosher to judge a book by its cover, but I have heard some mixed opinions about Kons, and plus he just looks to me like the kind of guy who is more atmosphere than substance.

This is probably me being overly sensitive to people trying to "pose" as goth, vampires, witches etc. to make money from ignorant teens who just want to be different (don't even get me started on all that "become a teen witch" stuff you see in mall bookstores).

But if you say it's good I'll give it another look. I may have been being unfair. Thanks!

[Moonsong]

The "unintentional vampires" which you speak of that have now realized that they are in fact a psychic vampire and "feed" so to say, off of those who are willing to allow this, really would no longer be considered an "unintentional vampire" because they have realized what they are and now make the choice on their own to "intentionally" take or absorb the energy of others willing to allow them to do so.

Right. The reason I drew a distinction between them and the other intentional vampires is because the former are "naturally occurring" vampires - they can't help it, they have to take in energy. The latter don't need to take energy, but they taught themselves to do so anyway. This may seem to be an irrelevant difference to you and me, but the impression I got from Belanger's book was that within the vampyre community the difference is taken pretty seriously.