Love bites: Is 'Twilight' sparking disturbing teen trend?

With the rise in popularity of vampire stories and films, there’s a disturbing new trend among teens.

They’re biting each other to show their love or friendship.

It’s like a modern-day hickey. More and more teens are sinking their teeth into each other.

Experts said there’s a good chance your child already knows about “love biting,” considering the third movie in the popular “Twilight” saga, “Eclipse,” earned more than $175 million in its first week, and HBO’s vampire-based series “True Blood” has also garnered a huge following.

I spoke one-on-one with Dr. Amanda Janner, from Psychological Affiliates in Winter Park. She said besides the possible spread of bacteria and infection -- and even HIV and AIDS -- love biting can create severe psychological issues.

“It’s something that says, ‘Someone has me. I belong to them,’” Dr. Janner said.

I asked her whether any of her patients have shown signs of love biting.

“I’ve heard about it. I know it’s going on in schools,” she said. “You know, we hear different kids telling us, ‘Oh, yes, my friend had this.’ It’s always a ‘friend.’”

Janner said the act of intimacy could also rehash memories of child abuse.

“It’s bringing the trauma back up for them, potentially,” she said.

• Watch the complete interview with Dr. Amanda Janner