Factitious disorders Notes

NOTES NOTES FACTITIOUS DISORDERS MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME osms.it/munchausen-syndrome PATHOLOGY & CAUSES ▪ Fabricating/exaggerating physical/ psychological symptoms in oneself/another ▪ Both types motivated by desire for sympathy/attention TYPES Munchausen syndrome ▪ Faking/exaggerating symptoms in oneself ▫ AKA factitious disorder Munchausen syndrome by proxy ▪ Purposefully inducing symptoms in another (e.g. a child, elder, family member, pet) ▫ AKA factitious disorder by proxy/ factitious disorder imposed on another CAUSES ▪ High comorbidity with mood/personality disorders SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Munchausen syndrome ▪ Feigned symptoms Munchausen syndrome by proxy ▪ Purposefully inducing symptoms in another ▪ High level of perceived interest in victim/ victim’s condition (if applicable) DIAGNOSIS Munchausen syndrome ▪ Fabricating/exaggerating physical/ psychological symptoms ▪ Seeks self to be treated as ill/impaired/ injured Munchausen syndrome by proxy ▪ Purposefully inducing symptoms in another ▪ Seeks victim to be treated as ill/impaired/ injured ▪ Diagnosis for perpetrator, not victim Both ▪ Behavior occurs even without obvious rewards (e.g. insurance claim) ▪ Not caused by other condition ▪ Can occur once, multiple times TREATMENT PSYCHOTHERAPY ▪ Various psychotherapy methods Munchausen syndrome by proxy ▪ Family therapy helpful ▪ Separate perpetrator, victim ▪ Treat victim for induced illness/injury/ emotional trauma Both types ▪ Limited but highly-relevant medical knowledge OSMOSIS.ORG 707