Belief in transforming another person into a wolf: could it be a variant of lycanthropy?

Abstract

Lycanthropy is a rare psychiatric condition in which the patient believes in being transformed into an animal. Belief in the transformation of another person into an animal has not been reported, so far. Here, a patient with an impression of bipolar mood disorder (mixed type) and such delusion is reported. A single case is reported. A young male patient in his first psychiatric episode, developed delusional conviction of his mother's transformation into a wolf. He did not have any delusions regarding the transformation of himself into an animal, although he reported drooling for months before developing a delusional belief regarding his mother. Belief in the transformation of another person into an animal may have similar roots as lycanthropy and could be considered as a variant of this syndrome.