Groundbreaking studies might reveal the trick to longevity in humans
Two groups of people appear to be mostly affected by the syndrome. One is women aged between 20 and 40 who often have a background in healthcare.
The other group is unmarried white men aged between 30 and 50.
This is in fact a different illness. Munchausen by proxy, also known as factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA), is when a person instead of pretending to be ill fakes or induces illness in a person under their care.
The most common cases of Munchausen by proxy are inflicted by mothers onto their children.
Sources: (NHS) (Cleveland Clinic) (Mayo Clinic)
See also: Mental and psychological disorders you've probably never heard of
Being a mental illness, a referral to a psychiatrist might be beneficial in the first instance.
Similar to diagnosis, treating someone with Munchausen syndrome is not easy. This is mostly because people will deny that they suffer from it and not cooperate with any possible treatment protocols.
Doctors should be wary when new or additional symptoms appear following negative test results.
Then the patient might benefit from psychotherapy. From psychoanalysis to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), there are many approaches that may help.
These people usually have an extensive knowledge of medical terms, illness, and treatments, as well as an eagerness to undertake medical procedures (e.g. surgery).
Other signs include symptoms that don’t seem to get better and usually become worse or change once the person starts treatment.
There are, however, signs that these professionals should be aware of. These include an eventful but inconsistent medical history.
A personality disorder might also be the reason why a person displays signs of the syndrome. These affect thinking and behavior to various degrees. Playing the role of a “sick person” is a clear identity they might like to assume.
There might also be a need to pass responsibility for their well-being and care on to someone else. Being cared for feels really good.
Another hypothesis is that they need to feel important, and crave being the center of attention, so they put themselves in a vulnerable position.
Sufferers can make themselves sick to punish themselves because they might feel unworthy.
People with the syndrome are very difficult to diagnose. Especially because they are indeed very good at manipulating and convincing healthcare professionals.
Things such as adding blood to urine, cutting or burning themselves, causing an infection in a wound, deliberate dehydration, and even poisoning themselves are not uncommon.
The person who pretends to be ill assumes the role of a sick person. This will make the person receive attention from both those who surround them as well as the medical community.
Although many of these are fabricated, it's not uncommon for symptoms to be self-inflicted. People actually do whatever they can to be sick.
Some symptoms are not easy to prove or disprove, so they are easily faked. These include vision problems, seizures, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, and aches and pains.
Issues of parental neglect and abandonment might be some of the reasons that lead to a person developing the syndrome as an adult.
Those who suffer from the syndrome might complain of physical symptoms such as pain in specific regions, including organs, muscles, bones and joints.
Munchausen syndrome is a complex mental disorder. There are many factors that can contribute to the syndrome, including emotional trauma or illness during childhood.
People with the syndrome can claim to suffer from mental health problems. They may say they hear voices, claim to see things, or be depressed, among others.
Munchausen syndrome, also known as factitious disorder, is a mental disorder where the person pretends to be ill.
This includes pretending to be ill and faking or deliberately producing symptoms of physical, emotional, or cognitive disorders.
Munchausen's syndrome is named after 18th-century German aristocrat Baron Munchausen, who became famous for telling unbelievable stories about his life and adventures.
Some of the most common personality disorders found among sufferers of Munchausen syndrome include borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and antisocial personality disorder.
Why would anyone pretend to ill? Well, there are obvious financial reasons of having paid sick leave, but Munchausen syndrome is something darker than just someone trying to take advantage of their employer or the government. This mental disorder is difficult to spot, diagnose, and treat. Those who suffer from Munchausen syndrome can trick healthcare professionals and those around them to believe they are indeed sick. And the consequences can be disastrous.
Curious to know more about this obscure syndrome? Click on.
The syndrome can only be diagnosed if there's clear indication that the symptoms are fabricated or induced, if the individual is motivated to be seen as sick, and if there is no likely explanation for their behavior, such as trying to gain financial advantage from being ill.
Munchausen syndrome: pretending to be ill
What we know about this so-called factitious disorder
HEALTH Mental illness
Why would anyone pretend to ill? Well, there are obvious financial reasons of having paid sick leave, but Munchausen syndrome is something darker than just someone trying to take advantage of their employer or the government. This mental disorder is difficult to spot, diagnose, and treat. Those who suffer from Munchausen syndrome can trick healthcare professionals and those around them to believe they are indeed sick. And the consequences can be disastrous.
Curious to know more about this obscure syndrome? Click on.