Symptoms
What makes a person a real life vampire and not just an ordinary person with a medical illness?
According to a survey conducted by vampire researcher, Anajiel, real life vampires suffer from a combination of four main symptoms:
Photosensitivity: The first that vampires seem to suffer from is photosensitivity. This condition can be split into two separate categories visual photosensitivity and skin photosensitivity, though the two do seem to run together. It is considered a type of allergy. Photosensitivity basically means that the body is overly-sensitive to the sun. Those who suffer from photosensitivity may get migraines due to being exposed to the sun's light. Many cannot stay in the sun for long periods of time without breaking out in a rash or burning. There are many drugs, foods, and cosmetics that may cause photosensitivity. For example, if a person uses medication for acne, it is advised that they do not venture into the sun for long periods of time due to the effects it may have on their skin. I cannot say how photosensitivity relates to vampirism, but I do believe it may be a factor. Not necessarily to an extreme degree, but I believe it highly probable that it does exist in some form in many vampires.
Insomnia: The next physical condition that was common in the survey was insomnia. Most of us already know what this is: The inability to sleep. In relation to vampirism, I believe that this can also be attributed to over-feeding. As I was doing my research, I came across the fact that many vampires seem to have suffered from insomnia more frequently during the time they were awakening to their vampirism. I believe this is highly believable and makes much sense. When we are awakening, we do not have much control over the energies that we are taking in. We are more prone to over-feed, take more energy than we need. Insomnia could have occurred as a result. Even with control over how we feed, I believe that every vampire still over-feeds occasionally and may be faced with insomnia as a result. In another sense, those who suffer from psychological illnesses may suffer from insomnia as a direct result of those conditions, as it is attributed to several anxiety disorders.
Fatigue: Fatigue would be the exact opposite of the above discussion. Fatigue is excessive weariness or exhaustion. Many vampires suffer from this when they do not feed, or do not obtain enough energy through their feeding methods. From my own personal experience it is akin to trying to walk through water. Everything seems slow and harder to do, even the simplest of tasks. Fatigue is also present as a physical effect of depression.
Anemia: Many on the survey listed that they have iron deficiency anemia. Basically, iron deficiency anemia is a decrease of red cells in the blood caused by too little iron. This is caused by natural things such as poor diet, or poor absorption of iron into the body. Women may suffer from it due to blood loss during menstrual bleeding. Women have smaller stores of iron to begin with, and then have their monthly cycle, making them more susceptible to developing anemia than men. Men who suffer from it may have developed it due to ulcers or the use of aspirin. (National Library of Medicine).Symptoms of anemia include pale skin color, shortness of breath, fatigue, irritability, and decreased appetite."