What kind of disease is Lycanthropy?

There are a few correct answers for this question. They are as follows:

Definition:

Lycanthropy is the ability to transform one's body to a wolf /wolf like creature or to gain wolf characteristic. The term is derived from Greek, Lykànthropos. Sometime the Word is used as a general transformation of the body. The correct term for this is therianthropy. Recently the Word is used to describe a mental illness. There is also a syndrom in which the body produces excess hair called hypertichosis also know as werewolf syndrom.

Mythology:

In mythology lycanthropy is a 'disease' that forces a human being to turn into a two legged monster resembling a wolf on the nights of the full moon. In some mythology the lycan also has some minor change the night before and after the full moon. Werewolves are often strong than both man and wolf. Modern fiction werewolves are not all the same as the old mythology ones. Over the years the story of the Lycan has changed greatly. The werewolf will Most likely remain in Horror fiction for a really long time.

Clinical Lycanthropy:

Clinical lycanthropy is a rare mental illness where the affected believe they can or have changed in to an animal. The name comes from mythology of wolf shape shifters. Sometime zooanthropy is used as a name for the illness. This illness is generally associated with psychosis, An illness involving hallucinations. The transformation only seems to happen in the mind or behavior of the affected.

IF YOU BELIEVE THAT SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING THIS OR SOMETHING SIMILAR GET THE PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL HALP IMMEDIATELY.

Lycanthropy as a Practice:

There are those who practice lycanthropy and a similar art therianthropy as a way of life. It is by no means the same as clinical lycanthropy though a very small amount of practices are clinical.

The practice involves finding a spirit animal and working your way to changing into that animal. Popular belief among those who practice is that you must be born with it be able to practice lycanthropy and that anyone is capable of therianthropy. Lycanthropy involves going through an awakening process that you cannot force or stop. Theianthropy you must induce you awakening.

To be able to practice the art successfully take a lot of training. Some go their whole lives only being able to barely change. Others have claimed to be able to change.

If you have interest in this life style it take years of dedication and practice. Once you go through your awakening there is no going back. The art of therianthropy and lycanthropy is a one way road.

A small community of those who practice therianthropy believe that once you convince you mind it is the animal you mind will change you DNA to that animal. Almost all other communities disagree with this. The science of it isn't an exact one.

Hypertrichosis

Hypertrichosis is a condition in which excessive hair growth occurs. The syndrom goes by a few other names as well including; Ambras Syndrom, and Werewolf syndrom. Tthere are two types of Hypertrichosis, generalizd and restricted. In generalized hari grows over the whole body. In restricted the hair grown in a certain area. It can either occur at birth of later on in life. The first documented case was in 1648.