Animal Transformation Beliefs in Psychosis: Case Report of Lycanthropy
Tahoora Ali, Suprakash Chaudhury, Aditi Harbola
Annals of Indian Psychiatry May 4, 2026 DOI: 10.4103/aip.aip_327_25 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 35-year-old male from urban India with long-standing schizophrenia |
| Interventions | Antipsychotic therapy culturally sensitive psychoeducation family support |
| Key findings | The authors report that a 35-year-old man with schizophrenia developed the delusional conviction of transforming into a dog after discontinuing antipsychotic medication, with delusion content shaped by local cultural narratives of animal symbolism. They argue that neuropsychiatric, cultural, and social factors interact in clinical lycanthropy, and that culturally sensitive care and earlier psychiatric treatment are needed. |
Abstract
Abstract: Lycanthropy is characterized by the belief of transformation into an animal, most often in the context of severe psychosis. This case report details a 35-year-old male from urban India with long-standing schizophrenia who developed kynanthropy, specifically the delusional conviction of transforming into a dog, precipitated by discontinuation of antipsychotic medication. His presentation included referential and persecutory delusions, auditory hallucinations, and vivid somatic perceptual disturbances interpreted as bodily transformation. The patient’s symptomatology was shaped by local cultural narratives of animal symbolism, influencing both the content of his delusion and initial help-seeking behaviors. Management involved reinstating antipsychotic therapy alongside culturally sensitive psychoeducation and family support. This report highlights the critical interplay of neuropsychiatric, cultural, and social factors in the emergence and management of clinical lycanthropy in India, emphasizing the need for awareness of such phenomena among clinicians, culturally informed care, and targeted interventions to address delays in psychiatric treatment.