Vikas Dubey, who claimed to have been entangled in an unusual series of multiple snake bites in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur, is once again in the spotlight. Dubey claimed to have been bitten by a snake several times, with a peculiar belief surrounding the ninth bite potentially being fatal. He alleged that a snake appeared in his dream, foretelling survival after eight bites but indicating impending death upon a ninth. Despite his assertions, medical professionals are attributing his experiences to severe ophidiophobia, commonly known as a fear of snake bites.
Shedding light on the incident, Dr Rajiv Nayan Giri, Chief Medical Officer of Fatehpur, explained that upon reviewing Vikas’s case, it was evident he suffered from ophidiophobia, a fear of snake bites. Dr Giri clarified that according to Dubey, surviving eight snake bites suggests the ninth would be fatal. However, he emphasised that ophidiophobia itself does not cause death; rather, extreme fear could potentially lead to conditions like heart attacks or strokes. Nevertheless, if such complications do not arise, survival after subsequent bites is feasible.
Upon learning of this case, the medical team reached out to Vikas Dubey and his family twice, urging them to come to the district hospital for comprehensive treatment under secure conditions. The team ensured surveillance with CCTV cameras and stationed guards for their safety. Despite the efforts, the family did not avail themselves of this facility. In addition to medical professionals, the doctors consulted a snake charmer who confirmed through tests that Vikas Dubey indeed suffered from a severe phobia, Dr Giri explained.
Regarding the possibility of Dubey surviving a ninth bite, Dr Giri speculated that recovery could alleviate his phobia over time, citing examples from psychiatric cases where psychological beliefs can influence physical health outcomes. However, he cautioned that untreated psychiatric conditions often persist despite individual incidents of survival.
When asked about Dubey’s death, Dr Giri questioned that when no snake bite took place, how would death even occur. It’s merely a fear, he said, further stating that Ophidiophobia is prevalent in European countries where snake encounters are frequent, affecting one in ten individuals. Similar cases exist in India, where individuals believe they are targeted by snakes. Instances like Vikas’s are seen among those who may be psychologically vulnerable. Without proper treatment, such individuals may endure prolonged anxiety and fear, he further explained.
Dr Giri stated that if Vikas survives a ninth snake bite, it is possible he could be cured of his phobia. He noted that Vikas is currently at the Balaji temple in Rajasthan, where he is placing his faith in a higher power. Given that phobia is a psychological condition and that faith and trust in a higher power are also mental beliefs, surviving another bite might help him gradually overcome his fear and potentially resolve his phobia.
Dr Sandeep Govil, a psychiatrist at Yashoda Multispeciality Hospital in Kaushambi (UP), explained that while snake venom can significantly alter a person’s physical and mental state, the case of Vikas Dubey dif not involve actual snakebites. Instead, his condition was rooted in psychological issues. Dr Govil explained that, from a psychiatric perspective, death from a ninth snakebite is unlikely. Although Dubey may experience stress, anxiety, and fear, these are not expected to lead to death.
Dr Govil explained that within psychiatry, there exists a condition known as hypochondriasis where affected individuals often believe they are suffering from serious illnesses, frequently seeking out medical opinions to validate their fears. Vikas Dubey’s situation mirrors this pattern closely. Medically speaking, Vikas’s fixation on snakebites signifies a manifestation of psychiatric illness.
Alternatively, this phenomenon could be interpreted as follows: urban residents grappling with this condition tend to dread fatal conditions such as heart attacks, cancer, accidents, and brain tumors. Conversely, rural dwellers often fear demise from snake or scorpion bites, falling into wells, or drowning. As mental illness intensifies, individuals may adopt erroneous beliefs. They might also begin to regard their dreams as factual occurrences.
If Vikas is indeed afflicted with this condition, there’s no guarantee that surviving a ninth snake bite will lead to a cure. It’s conceivable that the illness could resurface in another manifestation. Psychiatry suggests that complete freedom from such conditions often requires effective medication. The individual may continue to harbor fears or anxieties about various aspects of life. This scenario represents a psychiatric delusion, where the mind constructs a comprehensive narrative that appears authentic to the individual.
As Dubey’s story continues to unfold, medical experts stress the importance of psychological support and treatment to address underlying conditions and alleviate unfounded fears.
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