The Madness of Laura III

Pinel’s Assessment

24 June, 1808

Paris

            We have been treating a woman with a most curious form of mania. At first we weren’t sure why she was brought to us, she was quite calm and pleasant to talk to you. She had none of the usual signs of either mania or melancholia. It was not until several days into her stay when she started to share stories from her past that we were able to ascertain the depth of illness she had been suffering from. The woman, who we have been told goes by the name Laura, believes that she had been visited by vampires as a young girl. Laura believed these vampires to be her long dead ancestors that wished to steal her blood. She became quite upset when told that she surely must be mistaken because vampires only exist in folktales and stories. We had no choice but to administer a small amount of opium to calm the woman.

            It has been determined that this is a very specific form of mania with delirium. The cause of the delirium is most likely due to losing her mother at a very young age and her father never remarrying. We have opted to not challenge her fanciful claims of vampires and allow her to discuss these false memories freely. The staff has been instructed to merely remind her that she is quite safe here and that we will allow no harm to come to her. After giving her some time to live comfortably we will revisit her delusions and try to free her of these false memories.

C.L.

           

Tuke’s Assessment

25 June, 1813

York

            Poor Laura came to us in quite a dismal state, believing she was being visited my vampires at night who were attempting to steal her blood. Although she would be quite calm during the day, each night she would become quite animated and full of fear not allowing anyone to come anywhere near her. One night she became so upset the doctor was left with no choice but to restrain her to prevent her from harming herself. The doctor rarely resorts to restraints with any patient, so one can imagine how excited Laura had become.

            After that episode it was decided that Laura should join some of the other female patients in the garden during the day. Good, clean, fresh air and rigorous activity seem to have a calming effect on the patients suffering from these manias. Recently her night time frights have become shorter in duration so I am hopeful that the poor girl will soon begin to sleep through the night. Time will tell, but I do pray for her recovery.

C.L.