Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Factitious Disorders: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9832-an-overview-of-factitious-disorders

  Factitious disorders happen when you create symptoms of an illness to receive care for yourself or someone else. These mental health conditions are harmful and can be life-threatening. Many people deny having a factitious disorder, which can make diagnosing and treating it difficult. Help is available. […] Factitious disorders are a group of mental health conditions where you appear sick, make someone else appear sick or purposefully create symptoms of a condition to receive care. You might do this for personal and psychological reasons like wanting attention, coping with stress or deceiving healthcare professionals. […] This condition can be very dangerous. You may harm yourself and others by producing symptoms or undergoing unnecessary testing, treatments, procedures and surgeries. If you or a loved one feel the urge to hurt yourself or others, contact a healthcare provider or a mental health professional.

• #2 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #3 Psychiatry.org – What is Somatic Symptom Disorder?

  https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/somatic-symptom-disorder/what-is-somatic-symptom-disorder

  Factitious disorder involves people producing or faking physical or mental illness when they are not actually ill. […] A person with factitious disorder may also create an illness or injury in another person (factitious disorder imposed on another), such as faking the symptoms of a child in their care. […] The benefit to the person is to occupy the sick role and receive the care accompanying that role.

• #4 Factitious disorder | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/factitious-disorder

  Factitious disorder symptoms can range from mild to severe. People may make up symptoms or even tamper with medical tests to convince others that they need treatment, such as high-risk surgery. […] Factitious disorder symptoms involve people trying to look ill, making themselves ill or hurting themselves. They also may fake symptoms, make symptoms seem worse than they are or pretend they can’t do certain things because of their symptoms so they can deceive others. People with the condition work hard to hide their lies. It may be hard to know that their symptoms are part of a serious mental health condition. People with this condition continue with the lies, even without any benefit or reward, or when faced with evidence that doesn’t support their claims. […] Factitious disorder symptoms may include: Clever and convincing medical or mental health problems. Deep knowledge of medical terms and diseases. Vague symptoms or symptoms that aren’t consistent. Conditions that get worse for no clear reason. Conditions that don’t respond as expected to standard treatments. Seeking treatment from many healthcare professionals or hospitals, which may include using a fake name. Not wanting healthcare professionals to talk to family or friends or other healthcare professionals. Staying in the hospital a lot. Desire for frequent testing or risky surgeries and procedures. Many surgical scars or evidence of many procedures. Having few visitors when in the hospital. Arguing with healthcare professionals and staff.

• #5 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen Syndrome)

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9833-munchausen-syndrome-factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  Factitious disorder imposed on self, formerly known as Munchausen syndrome, happens when you falsify, create and/or exaggerate having symptoms of an illness that you dont really have. Diagnosing this condition is difficult, but treatment is available when youre ready. […] Most reported symptoms relate to physical illness, such as chest pain, upset stomach or fever, rather than those of a mental health condition. But if you have this factitious disorder, you may pretend to experience mental health symptoms, too, like hallucinations or hearing voices. […] Behaviors of factitious disorder imposed on self include: Pretending to have physical symptoms (like a headache, stomachache or chest pain). Pretending to have psychological symptoms (like hallucinating or hearing voices). Making yourself ill or producing physical symptoms (like damaging a wound to prevent healing or eating contaminated food to make yourself vomit).

• #6 Factitious disorder | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/factitious-disorder

  Factitious disorder symptoms can range from mild to severe. People may make up symptoms or even tamper with medical tests to convince others that they need treatment, such as high-risk surgery. […] Factitious disorder symptoms involve people trying to look ill, making themselves ill or hurting themselves. They also may fake symptoms, make symptoms seem worse than they are or pretend they can’t do certain things because of their symptoms so they can deceive others. People with the condition work hard to hide their lies. It may be hard to know that their symptoms are part of a serious mental health condition. People with this condition continue with the lies, even without any benefit or reward, or when faced with evidence that doesn’t support their claims. […] Factitious disorder symptoms may include: Clever and convincing medical or mental health problems. Deep knowledge of medical terms and diseases. Vague symptoms or symptoms that aren’t consistent. Conditions that get worse for no clear reason. Conditions that don’t respond as expected to standard treatments. Seeking treatment from many healthcare professionals or hospitals, which may include using a fake name. Not wanting healthcare professionals to talk to family or friends or other healthcare professionals. Staying in the hospital a lot. Desire for frequent testing or risky surgeries and procedures. Many surgical scars or evidence of many procedures. Having few visitors when in the hospital. Arguing with healthcare professionals and staff.

• #7 Factitious disorder | Altru Health System

  https://www.altru.org/health-library/conditions/factitious-disorder

  Factitious disorder symptoms can range from mild to severe. People may make up symptoms or even tamper with medical tests to convince others that they need treatment, such as high-risk surgery. […] Factitious disorder symptoms involve people trying to look ill, making themselves ill or hurting themselves. They also may fake symptoms, make symptoms seem worse than they are or pretend they can’t do certain things because of their symptoms so they can deceive others. People with the condition work hard to hide their lies. It may be hard to know that their symptoms are part of a serious mental health condition. People with this condition continue with the lies, even without any benefit or reward, or when faced with evidence that doesn’t support their claims. […] Factitious disorder symptoms may include: Clever and convincing medical or mental health problems. Deep knowledge of medical terms and diseases. Vague symptoms or symptoms that aren’t consistent. Conditions that get worse for no clear reason. Conditions that don’t respond as expected to standard treatments. Seeking treatment from many healthcare professionals or hospitals, which may include using a fake name. Not wanting healthcare professionals to talk to family or friends or other healthcare professionals. Staying in the hospital a lot. Desire for frequent testing or risky surgeries and procedures. Many surgical scars or evidence of many procedures. Having few visitors when in the hospital. Arguing with healthcare professionals and staff.

• #8 Factitious disorder | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/factitious-disorder

  Factitious disorder symptoms can range from mild to severe. People may make up symptoms or even tamper with medical tests to convince others that they need treatment, such as high-risk surgery. […] Factitious disorder symptoms involve people trying to look ill, making themselves ill or hurting themselves. They also may fake symptoms, make symptoms seem worse than they are or pretend they can’t do certain things because of their symptoms so they can deceive others. People with the condition work hard to hide their lies. It may be hard to know that their symptoms are part of a serious mental health condition. People with this condition continue with the lies, even without any benefit or reward, or when faced with evidence that doesn’t support their claims. […] Factitious disorder symptoms may include: Clever and convincing medical or mental health problems. Deep knowledge of medical terms and diseases. Vague symptoms or symptoms that aren’t consistent. Conditions that get worse for no clear reason. Conditions that don’t respond as expected to standard treatments. Seeking treatment from many healthcare professionals or hospitals, which may include using a fake name. Not wanting healthcare professionals to talk to family or friends or other healthcare professionals. Staying in the hospital a lot. Desire for frequent testing or risky surgeries and procedures. Many surgical scars or evidence of many procedures. Having few visitors when in the hospital. Arguing with healthcare professionals and staff.

• #9 Factitious disorder | Altru Health System

  https://www.altru.org/health-library/conditions/factitious-disorder

  Factitious disorder symptoms can range from mild to severe. People may make up symptoms or even tamper with medical tests to convince others that they need treatment, such as high-risk surgery. […] Factitious disorder symptoms involve people trying to look ill, making themselves ill or hurting themselves. They also may fake symptoms, make symptoms seem worse than they are or pretend they can’t do certain things because of their symptoms so they can deceive others. People with the condition work hard to hide their lies. It may be hard to know that their symptoms are part of a serious mental health condition. People with this condition continue with the lies, even without any benefit or reward, or when faced with evidence that doesn’t support their claims. […] Factitious disorder symptoms may include: Clever and convincing medical or mental health problems. Deep knowledge of medical terms and diseases. Vague symptoms or symptoms that aren’t consistent. Conditions that get worse for no clear reason. Conditions that don’t respond as expected to standard treatments. Seeking treatment from many healthcare professionals or hospitals, which may include using a fake name. Not wanting healthcare professionals to talk to family or friends or other healthcare professionals. Staying in the hospital a lot. Desire for frequent testing or risky surgeries and procedures. Many surgical scars or evidence of many procedures. Having few visitors when in the hospital. Arguing with healthcare professionals and staff.

• #10 Mental Health: Factitious Disorders

  https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/factitious-disorders

  People with factitious disorders deliberately create or exaggerate symptoms of an illness in several ways. […] People with factitious disorders behave this way because of an inner need to be seen as ill or injured, not to achieve a clear benefit, such as financial gain. […] Possible warning signs of factitious disorders include: Dramatic but inconsistent medical history, unclear symptoms that are not controllable and that become more severe or change once treatment has begun, predictable relapses following improvement in the condition, extensive knowledge of hospitals and/or medical terminology, as well as the textbook descriptions of illness, presence of many surgical scars, appearance of new or additional symptoms following negative test results, presence of symptoms only when the patient is with others or being observed, willingness or eagerness to have medical tests, operations, or other procedures, history of seeking treatment at many hospitals, clinics, and doctors offices, possibly even in different cities, reluctance by the patient to allow health care professionals to meet with or talk to family members, friends, and prior doctors.

• #11

  https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/munchausens-syndrome/

  Signs that a person may have Munchausen’s syndrome include: making frequent visits to hospitals in different areas; claiming to have a history of complex and serious medical conditions; having symptoms that do not match with test results; having symptoms that get worse for no clear reason; having very good medical knowledge; being willing to undergo often painful or dangerous tests and procedures; reporting symptoms that are vague and inconsistent; telling unbelievable and often very elaborate stories about their past.

• #12

  https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/munchausens-syndrome/

  Munchausen’s syndrome is a serious mental disorder where a person deceives others by appearing to be sick, getting sick on purpose, or causing self-harm. It is also called 'factitious disorder imposed on self’. […] People with Munchausen’s syndrome know they are causing their symptoms. But they may not understand why they behave this way or see their behaviour as a problem. […] There are 4 main ways people with Munchausen’s syndrome fake or induce illnesses. […] These include: faking symptoms – for example, choosing symptoms that are difficult to disprove, such as having a severe headache or pretending to have a seizure or to pass out; tampering with test results – for example, heating a thermometer to suggest a fever or adding blood to a urine sample; causing self-harm – for example, cutting or burning themselves, poisoning themselves with drugs, or eating food contaminated with bacteria; making existing conditions worse – for example, rubbing poo into wounds to cause an infection, or reopening previously healed wounds.

• #13 Factitious Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

  https://www.healthline.com/health/factitious-disorder

  Factitious disorder is a mental health condition that involves at least one episode of manufactured or exaggerated physical or mental health symptoms. […] Falsifying physical or mental health symptoms can certainly earn sympathy and attention from others in the short term. But this condition can eventually affect your physical and emotional health and making a child, partner, or family member sick translates to abuse. […] Factitious disorder might involve: a reported physical injury, illness, or mental health symptoms that dont actually exist; frequent exaggeration of minor health symptoms; alteration of medical tests or records. […] Some people with this condition also create real symptoms by doing things like swallowing cleaning products or other toxic chemicals; taking medications to prompt diarrhea and vomiting; introducing dirt, feces, or other unsanitary material into a cut so it becomes infected; intentionally coming into contact with something that triggers an allergic reaction; not allowing an injury or surgical site to heal.

• #14 Factitious disorder imposed on self – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factitious_disorder_imposed_on_self

  Factitious disorder imposed on self (FDIS), sometimes referred to as Munchausen syndrome, is a complex mental disorder where individuals play the role of a sick patient to receive some form of psychological validation, such as attention, sympathy, or physical care. Patients with FDIS intentionally falsify or induce signs and symptoms of illness, trauma, or abuse to assume this role. These actions are performed consciously, though the patient may be unaware of the motivations driving their behaviors. […] In factitious disorder imposed on self, the affected person exaggerates or creates physical or psychological symptoms of illnesses in themselves to gain examination, treatment, attention, sympathy or comfort from medical personnel. Because these symptoms can vary depending on how patients induce these symptoms, there is no consistent symptom specific for this illness. However, there are several common themes that may raise suspicion for FDIS. Some of these common themes include: Prolonged, repeated hospital stays, Frequent visits to multiple different physicians, Opting for unnecessary operations or procedures where the results are generally normal or inconclusive, Inconsistencies in past medical history, where illness/procedural history stated by patient is different than their documented history, Vague, nonspecific pain unresponsive to normal treatment options. […] Common examples of commonly induced physical symptoms include intentionally infecting a wound with debris or unsanitary material, taking laxatives to induce diarrhea, and ingesting thyroid hormone replacement medication to simulate a hyperactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism.

• #15 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen Syndrome)

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9833-munchausen-syndrome-factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  If you have factitious disorder imposed on self, you make up or exaggerate symptoms to appear ill. You may: Falsify feeling symptoms that you dont have. Show or pretend to have new or additional symptoms following test results or after treatment begins. Show symptoms only when alone. Alter diagnostic tests (like contaminating a urine sample). Pretend to take medications but hide them or spit them out. Intentionally harm yourself. […] Healthcare providers dont know exactly what causes a factitious disorder. Studies suggest it could involve psychological factors (parts of your personality that influence your thoughts and actions) and biological factors (your brain chemistry and genetic makeup). […] The first goal of treatment for factitious disorder imposed on self is to modify harmful behaviors and reduce the misuse or overuse of medical resources.

• #16 Factitious disorders – Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice

  https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/695

  Factitious disorders are uncommon disorders in which the patient intentionally fabricates physical or psychological symptoms primarily for the purpose of deceiving healthcare providers and/or others. […] Patients are motivated primarily by a desire to assume the sick role rather than by the hope to achieve external rewards. […] Munchausen syndrome is an extreme form. […] Factitious disorder imposed on another (previously factitious disorder by proxy) describes the clinical scenario wherein the patient feigns or induces signs or symptoms of illness in another person who is under the patient’s care, when there are no clear external incentives. […] It is a potentially lethal form of abuse, as patients may inadvertently induce coma or death by giving medications to simulate disease. […] Systematic evidence for directing treatment is lacking.

• #17 How Many Types of Factitious Disorders Are There?

  https://www.medicinenet.com/how_many_types_of_factitious_disorders_are_there/article.htm

  The most common falsified symptoms and diseases include: Abdominal pain, Arthralgia (joint pain), Chest pain, Diarrhea, Infections, Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level), Hematuria (blood in the urine), Hyperthyroidism, Skin wounds that do not heal, Vomiting, Weakness. […] The potential warning signs of the factitious disorder include: Unclear or inconsistent symptoms, Extensive knowledge about hospitals, medical terms, and illnesses, Frequent hospital stays, Conditions that dont respond to standard treatment, Conditions that may worsen following an improvement in the condition, Presence of many surgical scars, Refusal of a psychiatric or psychological evaluation, Refusing the healthcare professionals to meet or talk with family members, friends, and previous healthcare providers, The appearance of new symptoms following negative test results, Eagerness to carry out medical tests, procedures, or operations, Predicting negative medical outcomes despite no evidence, Having a few visitors while hospitalized, Arguing with hospital and medical staff, Disrupting the discharge plans or exaggerating the symptoms while being discharged, Presence of symptoms while being alone or when not being observed, Remarkable but inconsistent medical history.

• #18 Get the Facts on Factitious Disorders – AAPC Knowledge Center

  https://www.aapc.com/blog/46469-get-the-facts-on-factitious-disorders/?srsltid=AfmBOoooaJ24H9Pa-bboGCDa3HqGeUILNZQybYM7GxtwWzQ2B6XAFO13

  Factitious disorder is a condition where a person intentionally produces or exaggerates physical or psychological signs and symptoms. They may even hurt themselves or others to bring on symptoms. […] Properly diagnosing factitious disorder is challenging, but there are common symptoms: The patient may try to mimic illness symptoms, report dramatic and inconsistent medical histories, and may hurt themselves or tamper with medical tests to gain the attention they desire. […] The patient may present with unclear symptoms that are not controllable, become more severe, or change when treatment has begun. Relapses may often follow improvement in the condition, and normal treatment options may not work as expected. […] It is not unusual for such a patient to sabotage their discharge plans or suddenly become more ill as they are about to be discharged from the hospital setting.

• #19 Munchausen syndrome | Better Health Channel

  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/munchausen-syndrome

  Munchausen syndrome (also known as factitious disorder) is a rare type of mental disorder in which a person fakes illness. The person may lie about symptoms, make themselves appear sick, or make themselves purposely unwell. This type of mental disorder is most often seen in young adults and is considered a type of self-harm. […] A person with Munchausen syndrome gains intense satisfaction from the attention associated with playing the ill patient. Signs and symptoms that may suggest Munchausen syndrome include: a spectacular medical history that includes many tests, medical procedures and operations, an odd collection of seemingly unrelated symptoms, a lack of conclusive results despite intense medical investigations, new symptoms that appear after medical tests prove negative, extensive medical knowledge of many different illnesses, frequently visiting many different doctors, sometimes in other states or territories, frequent presentation at emergency departments, usually at different hospitals, requests for invasive medical procedures or surgeries, failure to improve despite medical treatment, including relapsing for unknown reasons.

• #20 Factitious Disorders: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9832-an-overview-of-factitious-disorders

  The most common treatment for factitious disorder is psychotherapy (a type of counseling). You’ll likely focus on changing your thinking and behaviors (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and learn healthier coping mechanisms. Family therapy also may teach your loved ones not to reward or reinforce certain behaviors. […] Each person with a factitious disorder has a different prognosis. In some cases, the condition can last for years or decades. Other cases get better within months of the first signs. Studies have found that this condition can stop suddenly, usually after loved ones or healthcare providers recognize what’s happening. […] Unfortunately, many people with a factitious disorder avoid seeking treatment for it or following a treatment plan. There’s a risk of life-threatening complications that can abruptly affect a person’s life expectancy.

• #21 Factitious disorder – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factitious_disorder

  A factitious disorder is a mental disorder in which a person, without a malingering motive, acts as if they have an illness by deliberately producing, feigning, or exaggerating symptoms, purely to attain (for themselves or for another) a patient’s role. […] Factitious disorder imposed on self, previously called Munchausen syndrome, or factitious disorder with predominantly physical signs and symptoms, has specified symptoms. Factitious disorder symptoms may seem exaggerated; individuals undergo major surgery repeatedly, and they „hospital jump” or migrate to avoid detection. […] Some individuals experience only a few outbreaks of the disorder. However, in most cases, factitious disorder is a chronic long-term condition that is difficult to treat. There are relatively few positive outcomes for this disorder; in fact, treatment provided a lower percentage of positive outcomes than did the treatment of individuals with obvious psychotic symptoms such as people with schizophrenia.

• #22 Factitious Disorder – PsychDB

  https://www.psychdb.com/somatic/dsm-5/factitious

  Factitious disorder usually has first onset in early adulthood, often following a hospitalization for medical or psychiatric reasons. […] Individuals often have a history of multiple hospital admissions and are often willing to undergo invasive procedures. […] These episodes are usually intermittent; for some individuals, the pattern of behaviours can become lifelong. […] The overall prognosis is generally poor when confronted, the majority of individuals will deny their behaviours, and very few will seek treatment. […] For factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA), it usually begins after an initial hospitalization of the individual’s child or other dependent for legitimate reasons. […] For the victims of FDIA (i.e. – children), the mortality rate can be between 6 to 22%. […] Poisoning and suffocation are the most common forms of harm.

• #23 Factitious Disorder vs Malingering: Key Differences and Signs

  https://goodhealthpsych.com/blog/factitious-disorder-vs-malingering/

  Factitious disorder generally presents between the ages of 15 and 20 and is up to three times more common in men than it is in women. […] The most common signs of factitious disorder are consistent patterns of seeking medical attention with inconsistent or extreme and unrelated symptoms. The symptoms are usually uncontrollable and very vague, and the symptoms will change once treatment begins. […] Individuals who have signs of factitious disorder will possess extensive knowledge of medical diseases, terms, and memorized textbook descriptions. […] Those same individuals will also have a willingness to undergo very invasive medical procedures, including things that are risky or painful, operations, and more. […] Someone who has a factitious disorder might manipulate their symptoms or test results in order to continually receive attention. This can be something as severe as doctoring a test in a hospital, intentionally causing pain or problems in order to increase the likelihood of a diagnosis, and self-harm.

• #24 Factitious Disorder | DID-Research.org

  https://did-research.org/comorbid/somatic/factitious

  Intermittent and recurrent episodes are more common than single or unrelenting episodes. […] The disorder often begins in young adulthood after a hospitalization of either the individual behind the deception or of the dependent that symptoms are being imposed on (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

• #25 Factitious Disorder (Munchausen Syndrome) | Psychology Today

  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/conditions/factitious-disorder-munchausen-syndrome

  Factitious disorder is considered a mental illness because it is associated with severe psychological distress. People with factitious disorder may: […] While the person may have a medical condition, they may exaggerate or intentionally worsen symptoms to cause others to view them as more ill or impaired than they really are. […] Individuals with factitious disorder have the potential to cause great physical and mental harm to themselves and others as a result of their deception. […] Factitious disorder usually presents as recurrent episodes of deceptive behavior. The onset of factitious disorder is typically in early adulthood, often after a person has been hospitalized for a medical or psychiatric condition.

• #26 Factitious Disorders: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9832-an-overview-of-factitious-disorders

  If you have a factitious disorder, you may: […] Hurt yourself or someone else to cause symptoms […] Intentionally change diagnostic tests or treatment plans (like contaminating a urine sample or damaging a wound to prevent healing) […] Desire sympathy and special attention. […] Signs of a factitious disorder may include reporting symptoms that are perplexing to healthcare providers, like: […] Symptoms that change or increase in unexpected ways after treatment or after returning home from a healthcare facility […] Symptoms that recur unpredictably […] Symptoms that occur only when you’re alone […] New or additional symptoms after a healthcare provider tells you there’s nothing wrong. […] The first goal of treatment for factitious disorders is to modify harmful behaviors and reduce the misuse or overuse of medical resources. Once you meet these goals, your care team will focus on addressing any underlying causes of your behavior and help you find solutions to meet your needs.

• #27

  https://www.meetaugust.ai/en/library/diseases-conditions/view/factitious-disorder

  People with factitious disorder intentionally pretend to be sick. […] The symptoms of factitious disorder can range from mild to very serious. […] People with factitious disorder intentionally make themselves appear sick or injured. […] Signs of Factitious Disorder: […] Symptoms that change unpredictably: Illnesses might suddenly worsen or improve without a clear reason. […] Symptoms that don’t respond to treatment: Standard medical approaches might not help. […] People with factitious disorder intentionally make themselves sick or injured. […] A key part of this is that they often don’t want help. […] If you’re worried that someone you care about might be making up or exaggerating health issues, it’s important to try talking to them about your concerns. […] People with factitious disorder intentionally create or exaggerate symptoms of illness to gain attention and sympathy.

• #28 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #29 Factitious disorder imposed on self – Wikipedia

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factitious_disorder_imposed_on_self

  Factitious disorder imposed on self (FDIS), sometimes referred to as Munchausen syndrome, is a complex mental disorder where individuals play the role of a sick patient to receive some form of psychological validation, such as attention, sympathy, or physical care. Patients with FDIS intentionally falsify or induce signs and symptoms of illness, trauma, or abuse to assume this role. These actions are performed consciously, though the patient may be unaware of the motivations driving their behaviors. […] In factitious disorder imposed on self, the affected person exaggerates or creates physical or psychological symptoms of illnesses in themselves to gain examination, treatment, attention, sympathy or comfort from medical personnel. Because these symptoms can vary depending on how patients induce these symptoms, there is no consistent symptom specific for this illness. However, there are several common themes that may raise suspicion for FDIS. Some of these common themes include: Prolonged, repeated hospital stays, Frequent visits to multiple different physicians, Opting for unnecessary operations or procedures where the results are generally normal or inconclusive, Inconsistencies in past medical history, where illness/procedural history stated by patient is different than their documented history, Vague, nonspecific pain unresponsive to normal treatment options. […] Common examples of commonly induced physical symptoms include intentionally infecting a wound with debris or unsanitary material, taking laxatives to induce diarrhea, and ingesting thyroid hormone replacement medication to simulate a hyperactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism.

• #30 Factitious Disorder

  https://fpnotebook.com/Psych/Somatization/FctsDsrdr.htm

  Factitious Disorder is high risk for increased morbidity and mortality. […] Protracted illness with episodes of spontaneous remission, or unexplainable worsening. […] When hospitalized, patients may suddenly worsen or develop new symptoms before intended discharge.

• #31 Munchausen Syndrome: Mental Disorder, Symptoms, Test & Treatment

  https://www.emedicinehealth.com/munchausen_syndrome/article_em.htm

  Mental illness People with Munchausen syndrome intentionally cause signs and symptoms of an illness or injury by inflicting medical harm to their body, often to the point of having to be hospitalized. […] Munchausen syndrome most appropriately describes people who have a chronic variant of a factitious disorder with mostly physical signs and symptoms, although there are reports in the literature regarding psychological Munchausen syndrome, meaning that the simulated symptoms are psychiatric in nature. […] Individuals with Munchausen syndrome intentionally produce or exaggerate symptoms. They may lie about or fake symptoms, self-induce injury to cause symptoms, or alter the results of tests by contaminating samples such as a urine samples. Signs and symptoms of Munchausen syndrome may include, dramatic medical history of serious illness, often with inconsistent details of the problem, symptoms that fit a diagnosis too perfectly or lack of signs that go with symptoms (for example, no sign of dehydration yet the person complains of diarrhea and vomiting), symptom that change or worsen once treatment is begun, history of seeking care at numerous other doctors, offices, or hospitals, eagerness to undergo exams, tests, and procedures, reluctance to let health care professionals contact previous health care professionals or family and friends, and evidence of multiple surgical scars.

• #32 Factitious Disorders: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9832-an-overview-of-factitious-disorders

  The most common treatment for factitious disorder is psychotherapy (a type of counseling). You’ll likely focus on changing your thinking and behaviors (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and learn healthier coping mechanisms. Family therapy also may teach your loved ones not to reward or reinforce certain behaviors. […] Each person with a factitious disorder has a different prognosis. In some cases, the condition can last for years or decades. Other cases get better within months of the first signs. Studies have found that this condition can stop suddenly, usually after loved ones or healthcare providers recognize what’s happening. […] Unfortunately, many people with a factitious disorder avoid seeking treatment for it or following a treatment plan. There’s a risk of life-threatening complications that can abruptly affect a person’s life expectancy.

• #33 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #34 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen Syndrome)

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9833-munchausen-syndrome-factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  It can be difficult to treat factitious disorder imposed on self many people who experience this condition deny that they have it, making it difficult to treat. However, treatment is available when youre ready. […] Your prognosis varies based on your willingness to accept and follow a treatment plan. If you acknowledge the diagnosis and follow your healthcare providers instructions during treatment, youll likely have a positive outcome. If you deny or avoid treatment, your outcome may be poor, and your behavior could be very dangerous, even life-threatening.

• #35 Munchausen Syndrome (Factitious disorder)

  https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/munchausen-syndrome

  Although a person with Munchausen syndrome actively seeks treatment for the various disorders they invent, the person often is unwilling to admit to and seek treatment for the syndrome itself. This makes treating people with Munchausen syndrome very challenging and the outlook for recovery poor. […] Some people with Munchausen syndrome suffer one or two brief episodes of symptoms. In most cases, however, the disorder is a chronic, or long-term, condition that can be very difficult to treat.

• #36 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #37 Mental Health: Factitious Disorders

  https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/factitious-disorders

  People with factitious disorders are at risk for health problems (or even death) associated with hurting themselves or otherwise causing symptoms. In addition, they may suffer from reactions or health problems related to multiple tests, procedures, and treatments; and are at high risk for substance abuse and attempts at suicide. […] Some people with factitious disorders suffer one or two brief episodes of symptoms and then get better. In most cases, however, the factitious disorder is a chronic, or long-term, condition that can be very difficult to treat.

• #38 Factitious Disorder: Recognizing and Addressing a Deceptive Behavior – Bangkok Mental Health Hospital

  https://bangkokmentalhealthhospital.com/factitious-disorder/

  The prognosis for individuals with factitious disorder varies depending on the severity of their symptoms, their willingness to engage in treatment, and the presence of underlying mental health conditions. With consistent and appropriate treatment, some individuals may experience significant improvement and reduce their deceptive behaviors. However, factitious disorder is a complex and challenging condition, and relapses may occur.

• #39 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #40 Mental Health: Factitious Disorders

  https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/factitious-disorders

  People with factitious disorders are at risk for health problems (or even death) associated with hurting themselves or otherwise causing symptoms. In addition, they may suffer from reactions or health problems related to multiple tests, procedures, and treatments; and are at high risk for substance abuse and attempts at suicide. […] Some people with factitious disorders suffer one or two brief episodes of symptoms and then get better. In most cases, however, the factitious disorder is a chronic, or long-term, condition that can be very difficult to treat.

• #41 Factitious Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

  https://www.healthline.com/health/factitious-disorder

  Factitious disorder is a mental health condition that involves at least one episode of manufactured or exaggerated physical or mental health symptoms. […] Falsifying physical or mental health symptoms can certainly earn sympathy and attention from others in the short term. But this condition can eventually affect your physical and emotional health and making a child, partner, or family member sick translates to abuse. […] Factitious disorder might involve: a reported physical injury, illness, or mental health symptoms that dont actually exist; frequent exaggeration of minor health symptoms; alteration of medical tests or records. […] Some people with this condition also create real symptoms by doing things like swallowing cleaning products or other toxic chemicals; taking medications to prompt diarrhea and vomiting; introducing dirt, feces, or other unsanitary material into a cut so it becomes infected; intentionally coming into contact with something that triggers an allergic reaction; not allowing an injury or surgical site to heal.

• #42 Munchausen syndrome (factitious disorder imposed on self): definition, causes, symptoms, and treatments – The Diamond Rehab Thailand

  https://diamondrehabthailand.com/what-is-munchausen-syndrome/

  Many hospitalizations and recurrent medical interventions often suggest Munchausen syndrome, since patients actively seek treatment despite not having a legitimate condition. […] Individuals with MS often inflict injuries or aggravate existing conditions to maintain the appearance of illness. […] Tampering with diagnostic tests and medical evidence is a hallmark symptom of MS. […] Reluctance to allow talking to family members or previous healthcare providers is a key symptom of Munchausen syndrome, often stemming from a desire to control the narrative surrounding their medical history. […] Munchausen syndrome typically occurs during early-to-mid adolescence, with cases reported in girls as young as 9 years old. […] Living with Munchausen syndrome (factitious disorder imposed on self) involves repeatedly pretending to be ill, often going to extreme lengths to maintain the illusion. […] Complications of Munchausen syndrome include infections, organ damage, overdose, physical harm, and emotional distress.

• #43 Factitious disorder: causes, symptoms, and treatments – The Diamond Rehab Thailand

  https://diamondrehabthailand.com/what-is-factitious-disorder/

  People with factitious disorders imposed on themselves engage in potentially dangerous behaviors just to appear sick. For instance, they persuade a doctor to undergo a risky surgery. Others ingest substances or inject various chemicals into their bodies to induce injury or symptoms of certain health problems. […] Factitious disorder has a multitude of effects on a persons life, especially when left unmanaged. […] Other effects of the factitious disorder include loss of limbs or organs due to unnecessary surgeries, severe health problems from infections or unnecessary procedures, substance abuse, and injury or death from self-inflicted conditions.

• #44 Effective Factitious Disorder Treatment Relies on Compassionate Care – Bridges to Recovery

  https://www.bridgestorecovery.com/blog/effective-factitious-disorder-treatment-relies-on-compassionate-care/

  There are symptoms that can help identify the presence of factitious disorder of the self, including: Extensive knowledge of medical conditions and terminology, Worsening of symptoms for no apparent reason, Non-responsiveness to standard treatment, Seeking treatment from many different providers, Inconsistent and nonspecific symptoms, Reluctance or refusal to allow family or friends to talk to treatment providers or accompany them to treatment, Eager participation in testing and procedures, including surgeries, Frequent medical appointments or hospitalizations, Frequent disagreements with doctors and staff. […] For Nellie, those consequences almost included death. After injecting feces into her bloodstream, she went into septic shock. […] The nature of factitious disorder can present serious concerns for both healthcare professionals and for patients. Not only must your loved one break through their own denial, they then have to ensure that they do not take factitious disorder treatment as an opportunity to perpetuate their condition and their identity as a sick person. […] Once a diagnosis has been made, comprehensive factitious disorder treatment should begin. […] For Catherine and Sarah, factitious disorder treatment was truly transformative.

• #45 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self – Mental Health Disorders – Merck Manual Consumer Version

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/somatic-symptom-and-related-disorders/factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  Factitious disorder is pretending to have or producing physical or psychological symptoms for no apparent external reason (not for a clear benefit, such as missing work or school). […] Symptoms may be dramatic and convincing. […] People with factitious disorder imposed on self repeatedly fake having a disorder. If they have a disorder, they exaggerate or lie about the symptoms, pretending that they are sicker or more impaired than they are. […] People with factitious disorder imposed on self may report physical symptoms that suggest a particular disorder, such as chest pain that resembles a heart attack. […] Factitious disorder imposed on self may continue throughout life. […] There are no clearly effective treatments. If people are treated for the disorder that they are faking, they may temporarily feel relief but then typically report additional symptoms and demand further treatments.

• #46 Factitious Disorder

  https://www.priory.com/psych/factitious.htm

  We are reporting two cases of factitious disorder with psychological signs and symptoms highlighting the diagnostic difficulties, using current (DSM IV) criteria. […] The prognosis is quite severe; in the previously cited article Pope shows that it is worse that the prognosis of schizophrenia. Self-injury and suicide attempts are not uncommon in these patients and, as usually there are several diagnoses made before that of factitious disorder, several drug regimens, usually at high doses (because of the lack of response), are prescribed. These unnecessary treatments could lead to severe adverse reactions. […] Factitious disorder with psychological signs and symptoms is not a very uncommon or benign pathology. However our knowledge in this particular pathology is limited mainly because diagnostic difficulties and lack of solid statistical data.

• #47 Munchausen Syndrome: Mental Disorder, Symptoms, Test & Treatment

  https://www.emedicinehealth.com/munchausen_syndrome/article_em.htm

  Treating people who have Munchausen syndrome is difficult because they are often unwilling to admit they have it. The treating doctor must be very judicious with invasive diagnostic tests or surgeries, yet try not to miss serious medical conditions. Many people with Munchausen syndrome experience long-term medical complications from illnesses they have induced or from the mechanisms used to treat them. […] People with Munchausen syndrome are rarely treated successfully. They are reluctant to seek treatment for the psychological problem and are generally unwilling to undergo psychiatric treatment. The self-inflicted illnesses and injuries of people with Munchausen syndrome can cause serious consequences. These individuals often undergo several unnecessary surgeries throughout their lifetime.

• #48 Factitious Disorder DSM-5 300.19 (F68.10)

  https://www.theravive.com/therapedia/factitious-disorder-dsm–5-300.19-(f68.10)

  The individual may have unexplained injuries that present as being potentially self-inflicted, ranging from minor cuts to abscesses or sepsis induced by injecting themselves with fecal matter. Other signs can include significant surgical scarring from repeated unnecessary operations – a so-called gridiron abdomen, for example – and affected individuals may even resort to tampering with hospital charts or contaminating test samples. Symptoms of the factitious illness may only appear when the individual believes they have attention, or in the case of negative test results. […] The individual will have a need to receive attention and care, and will often go through many unnecessary and potentially risky methods like surgery in order to obtain what they desire. They may induce illness in themselves in order to achieve this goal, potentially putting their need for nurture higher than their own safety. […] It is not unknown for untreated factitious disorder to result in serious and ultimately fatal illness or suicide.

• #49 What Is the Difference Between Malingering vs Factitious Disorder? – Promises Behavioral Health

  https://www.promises.com/addiction-blog/what-is-the-difference-between-malingering-and-factitious-disorder/

  For people with factitious disorder, theres no expectation of an external reward. Their motivations are often unknown even to themselves. Malingerers fake illness for financial or personal gain. […] For people with these disorders, a correct diagnosis is important. This is especially so for people with factitious disorder. Its only with an accurate diagnosis that they can get the right treatment. Without treatment they risk harming themselves or others, depending on the kind of factitious disorder they have. Some people self-harm to fake disease symptoms. […] Treatment focuses on symptom management, as factitious disorder is considered incurable. Treatment is a multi-pronged approach, which includes: Having a single primary doctor. This helps to reduce or prevent duplicate visits to multiple doctors or specialists; Psychotherapy to learn healthy coping skills. This helps the person reduce their need to lie about their health. Addressing any co-occurring disorders can help too; Medication can treat co-occurring problems such as anxiety or depression; Hospitalization may be needed in some situations. If the person is a danger to themselves, inpatient psychiatric care can help keep them safe.

• #50 A Systematic Review on Factitious Disorders: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Classification

  https://www.jneuropsychiatry.org/peer-review/a-systematic-review-on-factitious-disorders-psychopathology-and-diagnostic-classification-12370.html

  Factitious disorder (FD) is a psychiatric disorder in which sufferers intentionally fabricate physical or psychological symptoms in order to assume the role of the patient, without any obvious gain. […] The study showed that patients did not meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria in the 11.3% of cases. […] Early detection of factitious disorder is very important to limit harm to patients and early management of FD may facilitate improved outcomes for patients with the disorder. […] The sample shows a prevalence of internal signs/symptoms and this could suggest that in FD there is a more marked internal dimension and that patients involve strategies such as falsification of clinical and personal history or pseudologia fantastica in order to keep it hidden. […] The review highlights the interesting relation between factitious disorder and recurrent surgery addiction. […] Many authors believe that patients with FD are at high risk of suicide. […] The diagnostic criteria for DSM-5 factitious disorders were met in 88.7% of cases.

• #51 A case of factitious disorder presenting with symptoms of movement disorder

  https://psychiatry-psychopharmacology.com/en/a-case-of-factitious-disorder-presenting-with-symptoms-of-movement-disorder-13341

  Factitious disorder (FD) is a diagnostic entity in which patients intentionally create false physical or mental symptoms. […] Although the disorder is rare, having an early diagnose is critical, because it causes unnecessary health expenditures and tends to become chronic. […] In this article, a case of delusional disorder who had been monitored for 6 years, then hospitalized due to a pre-diagnosis of drug induced movement disorder, and had a final diagnosis of FD was discussed. […] Through this case report, it was aimed to emphasize the importance of careful monitoring of the patients for preventing unnecessary investigations and treatments.

• #52 Factitious Disorders: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9832-an-overview-of-factitious-disorders

  Factitious disorders happen when you create symptoms of an illness to receive care for yourself or someone else. These mental health conditions are harmful and can be life-threatening. Many people deny having a factitious disorder, which can make diagnosing and treating it difficult. Help is available. […] Factitious disorders are a group of mental health conditions where you appear sick, make someone else appear sick or purposefully create symptoms of a condition to receive care. You might do this for personal and psychological reasons like wanting attention, coping with stress or deceiving healthcare professionals. […] This condition can be very dangerous. You may harm yourself and others by producing symptoms or undergoing unnecessary testing, treatments, procedures and surgeries. If you or a loved one feel the urge to hurt yourself or others, contact a healthcare provider or a mental health professional.

• #53 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #54 Factitious Disorder vs. Malingering | Charlie Health

  https://www.charliehealth.com/post/factitious-disorder-vs-malingering

  Factitious disorder, also known as Munchausen syndrome, is a mental health disorder where people make up or exaggerate physical or psychological symptoms without any clear reason or benefit, according to the DSM-5. […] Factitious disorders are complex and challenging to treat. […] People with factitious disorder can go to great lengths to appear ill. Some may lie about their medical history, fake test results, or even harm themselves to produce symptoms. […] Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps patients recognize and change thought patterns leading to their harmful behaviors. […] Because initiation and maintenance of treatment can be difficult due to the nature of this disorder, a compassionate, patient, and non-judgmental approach from healthcare providers is crucial. […] Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve the prognosis for factitious disorder.

• #55 Munchausen syndrome | Better Health Channel

  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/munchausen-syndrome

  Munchausen syndrome (also known as factitious disorder) is a rare type of mental disorder in which a person fakes illness. The person may lie about symptoms, make themselves appear sick, or make themselves purposely unwell. This type of mental disorder is most often seen in young adults and is considered a type of self-harm. […] A person with Munchausen syndrome gains intense satisfaction from the attention associated with playing the ill patient. Signs and symptoms that may suggest Munchausen syndrome include: a spectacular medical history that includes many tests, medical procedures and operations, an odd collection of seemingly unrelated symptoms, a lack of conclusive results despite intense medical investigations, new symptoms that appear after medical tests prove negative, extensive medical knowledge of many different illnesses, frequently visiting many different doctors, sometimes in other states or territories, frequent presentation at emergency departments, usually at different hospitals, requests for invasive medical procedures or surgeries, failure to improve despite medical treatment, including relapsing for unknown reasons.

• #56 Factitious disorder | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/factitious-disorder

  Factitious disorder symptoms can range from mild to severe. People may make up symptoms or even tamper with medical tests to convince others that they need treatment, such as high-risk surgery. […] Factitious disorder symptoms involve people trying to look ill, making themselves ill or hurting themselves. They also may fake symptoms, make symptoms seem worse than they are or pretend they can’t do certain things because of their symptoms so they can deceive others. People with the condition work hard to hide their lies. It may be hard to know that their symptoms are part of a serious mental health condition. People with this condition continue with the lies, even without any benefit or reward, or when faced with evidence that doesn’t support their claims. […] Factitious disorder symptoms may include: Clever and convincing medical or mental health problems. Deep knowledge of medical terms and diseases. Vague symptoms or symptoms that aren’t consistent. Conditions that get worse for no clear reason. Conditions that don’t respond as expected to standard treatments. Seeking treatment from many healthcare professionals or hospitals, which may include using a fake name. Not wanting healthcare professionals to talk to family or friends or other healthcare professionals. Staying in the hospital a lot. Desire for frequent testing or risky surgeries and procedures. Many surgical scars or evidence of many procedures. Having few visitors when in the hospital. Arguing with healthcare professionals and staff.

• #57 Factitious Disorder | DID-Research.org

  https://did-research.org/comorbid/somatic/factitious

  Intermittent and recurrent episodes are more common than single or unrelenting episodes. […] The disorder often begins in young adulthood after a hospitalization of either the individual behind the deception or of the dependent that symptoms are being imposed on (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

• #58 Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: Factitious Disorders | SpringerLink

  https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-42825-9_76-1

  Factitious disorders imposed on the self or another are some of the most challenging conditions clinicians face. They involve the conscious falsification of signs or symptoms of illness. They range from mild severity to life-threatening. […] Munchausens syndrome, although making up the minority of cases with factitious disorder imposed on the self, represents the most severe form and features a persistent lifestyle of illness with patients wandering from hospital to hospital and exaggerated histories. […] Psychological factors that appear to play a role in the etiology of the disorder include wishes to stay in a dependent role (i.e., the sick role), desires to act out angry or guilty feelings, and eagerness to maintain relationships with high-status healthcare professionals. […] In factitious disorder imposed on another, one person creates illness in another, typically an infant or child. Hence this condition involves child abuse and involvement of appropriate legal and social agencies. Treatment requires at least temporary separation of the child from the abuser and psychiatric intervention to ameliorate the morbidity of these children.

• #59 Factitious Disorder

  https://fpnotebook.com/Psych/Somatization/FctsDsrdr.htm

  Factitious Disorder is high risk for increased morbidity and mortality. […] Protracted illness with episodes of spontaneous remission, or unexplainable worsening. […] When hospitalized, patients may suddenly worsen or develop new symptoms before intended discharge.

• #60 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self – Mental Health Disorders – Merck Manual Consumer Version

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/somatic-symptom-and-related-disorders/factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  Factitious disorder is pretending to have or producing physical or psychological symptoms for no apparent external reason (not for a clear benefit, such as missing work or school). […] Symptoms may be dramatic and convincing. […] People with factitious disorder imposed on self repeatedly fake having a disorder. If they have a disorder, they exaggerate or lie about the symptoms, pretending that they are sicker or more impaired than they are. […] People with factitious disorder imposed on self may report physical symptoms that suggest a particular disorder, such as chest pain that resembles a heart attack. […] Factitious disorder imposed on self may continue throughout life. […] There are no clearly effective treatments. If people are treated for the disorder that they are faking, they may temporarily feel relief but then typically report additional symptoms and demand further treatments.

• #61 Mental Health: Factitious Disorders

  https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/factitious-disorders

  People with factitious disorders deliberately create or exaggerate symptoms of an illness in several ways. […] People with factitious disorders behave this way because of an inner need to be seen as ill or injured, not to achieve a clear benefit, such as financial gain. […] Possible warning signs of factitious disorders include: Dramatic but inconsistent medical history, unclear symptoms that are not controllable and that become more severe or change once treatment has begun, predictable relapses following improvement in the condition, extensive knowledge of hospitals and/or medical terminology, as well as the textbook descriptions of illness, presence of many surgical scars, appearance of new or additional symptoms following negative test results, presence of symptoms only when the patient is with others or being observed, willingness or eagerness to have medical tests, operations, or other procedures, history of seeking treatment at many hospitals, clinics, and doctors offices, possibly even in different cities, reluctance by the patient to allow health care professionals to meet with or talk to family members, friends, and prior doctors.

• #62 Factitious disorder – WikEM

  https://wikem.org/wiki/Factitious_disorder

  Falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms, or induction of injury or disease, associated with identified deception. […] The individual presents himself or herself to others as ill, impaired, or injured. […] The deceptive behavior is evident even in the absence of obvious external rewards. […] The behavior is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as delusional disorder or another psychotic disorder. […] Falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms, or induction of injury or disease, on another, associated with identified deception. […] The individual presents another individual (victim) to others as ill, impaired, or injured. […] The deceptive behavior is evident even in the absence of obvious external rewards. […] The behavior is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as delusional disorder or another psychotic disorder. […] Difficult to diagnose, as often a diagnosis of exclusion. Refer to the patient’s medical record for indication of repeated visits, recurrent testing, or multiple identities.

• #63 Munchausen syndrome | Better Health Channel

  https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/munchausen-syndrome

  Diagnosis is difficult because a range of legitimate physical and mental illnesses must be ruled out first. To complicate matters further, a person with Munchausen syndrome tends to seek help from various health care providers to avoid tipping off any one doctor. Diagnosis, if it happens at all, may depend on abstract concepts such as: The persons symptoms dont make sense when compared with the test results, The person is unusually eager to undergo invasive medical procedures and operations, The person doesnt respond to treatments in a predictable fashion, Other people in the patients life dont confirm the persons symptoms. […] Treatment aims to manage rather than cure the condition, but is rarely successful. Recovery tends to be slow or non-existent. Treatment options may include: Medications to treat associated mental health illnesses such as depression or anxiety. Unfortunately, a person with Munchausen syndrome may misuse prescription drugs to provoke symptoms for further medical intervention. Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) may help to change the persons beliefs and actions. However, it is unlikely that someone with Munchausen syndrome would admit to falsifying symptoms, which can make progress difficult. Some people with Munchausen syndrome flatly refuse psychiatric help. Avoiding unnecessary tests and surgeries is important to reduce the risk of complications. This can be aided by encouraging the person to go to only one primary care doctor. However, a person with Munchausen syndrome is likely to move on to other doctors and start again.

• #64 Factitious Disorder: Recognizing and Addressing a Deceptive Behavior – Bangkok Mental Health Hospital

  https://bangkokmentalhealthhospital.com/factitious-disorder/

  Factitious disorder, also known as Munchausen syndrome, is a mental health condition characterized by individuals deliberately feigning or exaggerating physical or psychological symptoms to gain attention, sympathy, or other perceived benefits. This behavior extends beyond malingering, as individuals with factitious disorder act with the primary intention of assuming a sick role rather than seeking specific tangible gains. […] The clinical presentation of factitious disorder can vary widely, with individuals exhibiting a range of feigned or exaggerated symptoms. Common characteristics include: […] Diagnosing a factitious disorder can be challenging due to the deceptive nature of the patient’s presentation and the need to rule out other potential explanations for their symptoms. […] Treatment for factitious disorder typically focuses on addressing the underlying psychological needs and motivations driving the deceptive behaviors.

• #65 Factitious disorder | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/factitious-disorder

  People with factitious disorder may know the risk of injury or even death when they hurt themselves or seek treatment that’s not needed. But they have a hard time managing their behaviors. They also aren’t likely to seek help. Even when they see proof that they’re causing their illness, such as a video, they often deny it and refuse mental health help.

• #66 Factitious disorder | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/factitious-disorder/

  People with factitious disorder may know the risk of injury or even death when they hurt themselves or seek treatment that’s not needed. But they have a hard time managing their behaviors. They also aren’t likely to seek help. Even when they see proof that they’re causing their illness, such as a video, they often deny it and refuse mental health help. […] Diagnosing factitious disorder is often very hard. People with factitious disorder are experts at faking many diseases and conditions. And while these people often look like they have real and even life-threatening medical conditions, they may have brought those conditions on themselves. […] Treatment of factitious disorder is often hard, and there are no standard therapies. Because people with factitious disorder want to be in the sick role, they often aren’t willing to seek or accept treatment for the condition. But if approached in a way that doesn’t judge, people with factitious disorder may agree to have a mental health professional assess and treat them.

• #67 Factitious Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

  https://psychcentral.com/health/factitious-disorder

  According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), factitious disorder is officially diagnosed when one or more of the following conditions are met: making up physical and mental signs of being sick or hurt, or intentionally causing injury or illness; pretending to be unwell, impaired, or injured; engaging in deceitful behavior, even when there are no obvious rewards. […] Treatment for factitious disorder can be tricky, often because many individuals may not view their behavior as problematic. […] If a healthcare professional suspects factitious disorder, 2020 research states that a supportive confrontation is suggested as a potential first step toward treatment. […] Worsening behavior might look like increased frequency of self-harm or greater visits to the hospital, among others. If a loved one seems to be claiming illness more often, it could be a sign that theyre behavior is worsening and intervention may be needed. […] Factitious disorder is a serious mental health condition that requires patience and understanding. Treating this disorder requires professional help, and may take significant time to resolve.

• #68 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #69 Factitious Disorders: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9832-an-overview-of-factitious-disorders

  The most common treatment for factitious disorder is psychotherapy (a type of counseling). You’ll likely focus on changing your thinking and behaviors (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and learn healthier coping mechanisms. Family therapy also may teach your loved ones not to reward or reinforce certain behaviors. […] Each person with a factitious disorder has a different prognosis. In some cases, the condition can last for years or decades. Other cases get better within months of the first signs. Studies have found that this condition can stop suddenly, usually after loved ones or healthcare providers recognize what’s happening. […] Unfortunately, many people with a factitious disorder avoid seeking treatment for it or following a treatment plan. There’s a risk of life-threatening complications that can abruptly affect a person’s life expectancy.

• #70 Factitious Disorder and How to Overcome It | Private Therapy Clinic

  https://theprivatetherapyclinic.co.uk/blog/what-is-factitious-disorder/

  The person is frequently staying in hospital. […] There is an openness to surgery and tests with known side-effects. […] Will open question the knowledge of doctors and nurses. […] Will have few visitors if staying in hospital. […] In the first instance, diagnosing someone with Factitious Disorder is extremely difficult because they can be so adept at faking/manufacturing the symptoms of the condition they’re citing. […] The irony is that although someone will actively seek treatment for their fictitious condition, rarely will they seek help for Factitious Disorder, itself.

• #71 How Many Types of Factitious Disorders Are There?

  https://www.medicinenet.com/how_many_types_of_factitious_disorders_are_there/article.htm

  There are four main types of factitious disorders, including: […] Factitious disorder with mostly psychological symptoms: In this condition, the individual exhibits symptoms similar to schizophrenia. They may present with the following symptoms: Confusion, Hallucinations, Bizarre behavior, Hearing unusual voices, Experience of sensing things that are not there, Ganser syndrome or prison psychosis (a condition characterized by short-term episodes of bizarre behavior similar to people with serious mental illness). […] Factitious disorder with mostly physical symptoms: This condition is also known as Munchausen syndrome. People claim to have physical symptoms, such as: Chest pain, Stomach problems, Fever. […] Factitious disorder with both psychological and physical symptoms: People with these disorder manifest symptoms of both physical and mental illness.

• #72 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self – Psychiatric Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/somatic-symptom-and-related-disorders/factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  Factitious disorder is falsification of physical or psychological symptoms without an obvious external incentive; the motivation for this behavior is to assume the sick role. Symptoms can be acute, dramatic, and convincing. Patients may have prominent features of borderline personality disorder and are frequently intelligent and resourceful. Patients with factitious disorder imposed on self may complain of or simulate physical symptoms that suggest certain disorders (eg, abdominal pain suggesting an acute surgical abdomen, hematemesis). Patients often know many associated symptoms and features of the disorder that they are feigning (eg, that pain from a myocardial infarction may radiate to the left arm or jaw or be accompanied by diaphoresis). […] Diagnosis of factitious disorder imposed on self is based on its characteristic symptoms and signs according to DSM-5-TR.

• #73 How Many Types of Factitious Disorders Are There?

  https://www.medicinenet.com/how_many_types_of_factitious_disorders_are_there/article.htm

  There are four main types of factitious disorders, including: […] Factitious disorder with mostly psychological symptoms: In this condition, the individual exhibits symptoms similar to schizophrenia. They may present with the following symptoms: Confusion, Hallucinations, Bizarre behavior, Hearing unusual voices, Experience of sensing things that are not there, Ganser syndrome or prison psychosis (a condition characterized by short-term episodes of bizarre behavior similar to people with serious mental illness). […] Factitious disorder with mostly physical symptoms: This condition is also known as Munchausen syndrome. People claim to have physical symptoms, such as: Chest pain, Stomach problems, Fever. […] Factitious disorder with both psychological and physical symptoms: People with these disorder manifest symptoms of both physical and mental illness.

• #74 Factitious Disorder | Neupsy Key

  https://neupsykey.com/factitious-disorder/

  Factitious disorder, also called Munchausens syndrome, refers to the condition in which patients consciously induce or feign illness in order to obtain a psychological benefit from being in the sick role. […] Patients with this disorder will often induce serious illness or undergo numerous unnecessary, invasive procedures. […] Individuals with this subtype of factitious disorder present with physical signs and symptoms. The three main methods patients use to create illness are (1) giving a false history, (2) faking clinical and laboratory findings, or (3) inducing illness, such as by surreptitious medication use. Particularly common presentations include fever, self-induced infection, gastrointestinal symptoms, impaired wound healing, cancer, renal disease (especially hematuria and nephrolithiasis), endocrine diseases, anemia, bleeding disorders, and epilepsy.

• #75 Munchausen Syndrome (Factitious disorder)

  https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/munchausen-syndrome

  Munchausen syndrome is a factitious disorder, a mental health disorder in which a person repeatedly and deliberately acts as if they have a physical or mental illness when they are not really sick. […] Most of the symptoms in people with Munchausen syndrome are related to physical illness symptoms such as chest pain, stomach problems, or fever rather than those of a mental disorder. […] People with Munchausen syndrome deliberately produce or exaggerate symptoms in several ways. They may lie about or fake symptoms, hurt themselves to bring on symptoms, or alter tests (such as contaminating a urine sample). Possible warning signs of Munchausen syndrome include: Dramatic but inconsistent medical history, unclear symptoms that are not controllable and become more severe or change once treatment has begun, predictable relapses following improvement in the condition, extensive knowledge of hospitals and/or medical terminology, as well as the textbook descriptions of illnesses, presence of multiple surgical scars, appearance of new or additional symptoms following negative test results, presence of symptoms only when the patient is with others or being observed, willingness or eagerness to have medical tests, operations, or other procedures, history of seeking treatment at numerous hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices, possibly even in different cities, reluctance by the patient to allow doctors to meet with or talk to family, friends, or prior doctors, problems with identity and self-esteem.

• #76 Munchausen Syndrome: Mental Disorder, Symptoms, Test & Treatment

  https://www.emedicinehealth.com/munchausen_syndrome/article_em.htm

  Mental illness People with Munchausen syndrome intentionally cause signs and symptoms of an illness or injury by inflicting medical harm to their body, often to the point of having to be hospitalized. […] Munchausen syndrome most appropriately describes people who have a chronic variant of a factitious disorder with mostly physical signs and symptoms, although there are reports in the literature regarding psychological Munchausen syndrome, meaning that the simulated symptoms are psychiatric in nature. […] Individuals with Munchausen syndrome intentionally produce or exaggerate symptoms. They may lie about or fake symptoms, self-induce injury to cause symptoms, or alter the results of tests by contaminating samples such as a urine samples. Signs and symptoms of Munchausen syndrome may include, dramatic medical history of serious illness, often with inconsistent details of the problem, symptoms that fit a diagnosis too perfectly or lack of signs that go with symptoms (for example, no sign of dehydration yet the person complains of diarrhea and vomiting), symptom that change or worsen once treatment is begun, history of seeking care at numerous other doctors, offices, or hospitals, eagerness to undergo exams, tests, and procedures, reluctance to let health care professionals contact previous health care professionals or family and friends, and evidence of multiple surgical scars.

• #77 How Many Types of Factitious Disorders Are There?

  https://www.medicinenet.com/how_many_types_of_factitious_disorders_are_there/article.htm

  There are four main types of factitious disorders, including: […] Factitious disorder with mostly psychological symptoms: In this condition, the individual exhibits symptoms similar to schizophrenia. They may present with the following symptoms: Confusion, Hallucinations, Bizarre behavior, Hearing unusual voices, Experience of sensing things that are not there, Ganser syndrome or prison psychosis (a condition characterized by short-term episodes of bizarre behavior similar to people with serious mental illness). […] Factitious disorder with mostly physical symptoms: This condition is also known as Munchausen syndrome. People claim to have physical symptoms, such as: Chest pain, Stomach problems, Fever. […] Factitious disorder with both psychological and physical symptoms: People with these disorder manifest symptoms of both physical and mental illness.

• #78 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen Syndrome)

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9833-munchausen-syndrome-factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  Factitious disorder imposed on self, formerly known as Munchausen syndrome, happens when you falsify, create and/or exaggerate having symptoms of an illness that you dont really have. Diagnosing this condition is difficult, but treatment is available when youre ready. […] Most reported symptoms relate to physical illness, such as chest pain, upset stomach or fever, rather than those of a mental health condition. But if you have this factitious disorder, you may pretend to experience mental health symptoms, too, like hallucinations or hearing voices. […] Behaviors of factitious disorder imposed on self include: Pretending to have physical symptoms (like a headache, stomachache or chest pain). Pretending to have psychological symptoms (like hallucinating or hearing voices). Making yourself ill or producing physical symptoms (like damaging a wound to prevent healing or eating contaminated food to make yourself vomit).

• #79 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self – Psychiatric Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/somatic-symptom-and-related-disorders/factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  Factitious disorder is falsification of physical or psychological symptoms without an obvious external incentive; the motivation for this behavior is to assume the sick role. Symptoms can be acute, dramatic, and convincing. Patients may have prominent features of borderline personality disorder and are frequently intelligent and resourceful. Patients with factitious disorder imposed on self may complain of or simulate physical symptoms that suggest certain disorders (eg, abdominal pain suggesting an acute surgical abdomen, hematemesis). Patients often know many associated symptoms and features of the disorder that they are feigning (eg, that pain from a myocardial infarction may radiate to the left arm or jaw or be accompanied by diaphoresis). […] Diagnosis of factitious disorder imposed on self is based on its characteristic symptoms and signs according to DSM-5-TR.

• #80 Factitious Disorder | Neupsy Key

  https://neupsykey.com/factitious-disorder/

  This subtype includes patients who present feigning psychological illness. They both report and mimic psychiatric symptoms. […] Some individuals present with simultaneous psychological and physical factitious symptoms, and some move between physical and psychological presentations over time. […] The nature of factitious disorder makes it difficult to determine how common it is within the general population. […] Most estimates of the prevalence of the disease rely on the number of factitious patients within a given inpatient population. […] Patients with factitious disorder span a broad age range. Reports in the literature show patients ranging from 8 to 85 years. […] All types of factitious disease show a strong association with substance abuse as well as borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. […] Patients with factitious disorder are thought to create illness in pursuit of the sick role.

• #81 How Many Types of Factitious Disorders Are There?

  https://www.medicinenet.com/how_many_types_of_factitious_disorders_are_there/article.htm

  There are four main types of factitious disorders, including: […] Factitious disorder with mostly psychological symptoms: In this condition, the individual exhibits symptoms similar to schizophrenia. They may present with the following symptoms: Confusion, Hallucinations, Bizarre behavior, Hearing unusual voices, Experience of sensing things that are not there, Ganser syndrome or prison psychosis (a condition characterized by short-term episodes of bizarre behavior similar to people with serious mental illness). […] Factitious disorder with mostly physical symptoms: This condition is also known as Munchausen syndrome. People claim to have physical symptoms, such as: Chest pain, Stomach problems, Fever. […] Factitious disorder with both psychological and physical symptoms: People with these disorder manifest symptoms of both physical and mental illness.

• #82 Factitious Disorder | Neupsy Key

  https://neupsykey.com/factitious-disorder/

  This subtype includes patients who present feigning psychological illness. They both report and mimic psychiatric symptoms. […] Some individuals present with simultaneous psychological and physical factitious symptoms, and some move between physical and psychological presentations over time. […] The nature of factitious disorder makes it difficult to determine how common it is within the general population. […] Most estimates of the prevalence of the disease rely on the number of factitious patients within a given inpatient population. […] Patients with factitious disorder span a broad age range. Reports in the literature show patients ranging from 8 to 85 years. […] All types of factitious disease show a strong association with substance abuse as well as borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. […] Patients with factitious disorder are thought to create illness in pursuit of the sick role.

• #83 Challenges in Assessing and Managing Malingering, Factitious Disorder, and Related Somatic Disorders

  https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/challenges-assessing-and-managing-malingering-factitious-disorder-and-related-somatic-disorders

  Symptoms are feigned or grossly exaggerated […] Excessive symptom production must be intentional […] The symptom production is motivated by an external incentive (eg, avoiding work or military duty or criminal prosecution, or obtaining financial compensation or drugs) […] Similar to malingering, a diagnosis of factitious disorder also requires conscious and intentional falsification of physical or psychological symptoms […] A diagnosis of factitious disorder requires that the deception occur even in the absence of an external incentive […] This suggests that individuals with factitious disorder are motivated by an internal incentive, where deceptive behaviors might serve the purpose of gaining nurturance, attention, or sympathy from family, friends, or medical providers […] While the main tenets of factitious disorder remain fairly similar across DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5, a prior criterion that required that the motivation for deceptive behavior be to assume the sick role is now absent from DSM-5

• #84 Challenges in Assessing and Managing Malingering, Factitious Disorder, and Related Somatic Disorders

  https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/challenges-assessing-and-managing-malingering-factitious-disorder-and-related-somatic-disorders

  Factitious disorder imposed on another (formerly factitious disorder by proxy) occurs when one volitionally falsifies the psychological or physical signs or symptoms of another person in the absence of an external incentive […] In some patients, such displays are unintentional and may reflect a transfer of psychological symptoms to physical symptoms, a heightened preoccupation and concern with physical or psychological symptoms, or an increased perception of symptom intensity relative to other patients with similar afflictions […] When feigning or exaggeration of symptoms is suspected but not confirmed or in cases where differential diagnosis of these conditions is still questionable, psychiatric providers may consider referring patients to a clinical neuropsychologist or psychologist for additional workup

• #85 Factitious disorder imposed on self (Munchausen syndrome) – UpToDate

  https://www.uptodate.com/contents/factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self-munchausen-syndrome

  Factitious disorder imposed on self is characterized by falsified general medical or psychiatric symptoms. Patients deceptively misrepresent, simulate, or cause symptoms of an illness and/or injury in themselves, even in the absence of obvious external rewards such as financial gain, housing, or medications. […] Early investigation of a possible factitious disorder can prevent patient self-harm as well as iatrogenic complications arising from unnecessary tests and treatments. […] Factitious disorder is sometimes referred to as Munchausen syndrome. In some studies, the eponym Munchausen syndrome refers to the subset of severe, chronic, and dramatic cases marked by pathological lying (pseudologia fantastica), peregrination, and use of aliases. […] This topic reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, assessment, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management of factitious disorder imposed on self.

• #86 Factitious disorder

  https://www.mymlc.com/health-information/diseases-and-conditions/f/factitious-disorder/?section=Symptoms

  Factitious disorder symptoms can range from mild (slight exaggeration of symptoms) to severe (previously called Munchausen syndrome). The person may make up symptoms or even tamper with medical tests to convince others that treatment, such as high-risk surgery, is needed. […] Factitious disorder symptoms involve mimicking or producing illness or injury or exaggerating symptoms or impairment to deceive others. People with the disorder go to great lengths to hide their deception, so it may be difficult to realize that their symptoms are actually part of a serious mental health disorder. […] Factitious disorder signs and symptoms may include: Clever and convincing medical or psychological problems, Extensive knowledge of medical terms and diseases, Vague or inconsistent symptoms, Conditions that get worse for no apparent reason, Conditions that don’t respond as expected to standard therapies, Seeking treatment from many different doctors or hospitals, which may include using a fake name, Reluctance to allow doctors to talk to family or friends or to other health care professionals, Frequent stays in the hospital, Eagerness to have frequent testing or risky operations, Many surgical scars or evidence of numerous procedures, Having few visitors when hospitalized, Arguing with doctors and staff.

• #87 Factitious disorder – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/factitious-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356034

  Diagnosing factitious disorder is often very hard. People with factitious disorder are experts at faking many diseases and conditions. And while these people often look like they have real and even life-threatening medical conditions, they may have brought those conditions on themselves. […] Diagnosis is based on objectively identifying symptoms that are made up, rather than the person’s intent or motivation for doing so. A healthcare professional may suspect that people have factitious disorder when: Their medical history doesn’t make sense. No believable reason exists for an illness or injury. The illness doesn’t follow the usual course. There’s no clear reason why they’re not getting better, despite the right treatment. There are contradictory or inconsistent symptoms or lab test results. They don’t want to give information from previous health records, other healthcare professionals or family members. They’re caught lying or harming themselves.

• #88 Factitious disorder | Altru Health System

  https://www.altru.org/health-library/conditions/factitious-disorder

  Diagnosing factitious disorder is often very hard. People with factitious disorder are experts at faking many diseases and conditions. And while these people often look like they have real and even life-threatening medical conditions, they may have brought those conditions on themselves. […] Treatment of factitious disorder is often hard, and there are no standard therapies. Because people with factitious disorder want to be in the sick role, they often aren’t willing to seek or accept treatment for the condition. But if approached in a way that doesn’t judge, people with factitious disorder may agree to have a mental health professional assess and treat them.

• #89 Factitious disorders – Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice

  https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-gb/695

  Factitious disorder is a syndrome in which signs and/or symptoms of disease are intentionally feigned, exaggerated, or self-induced by a patient when there is no clear principal external incentive for the behaviour. […] Distinguishing factitious disorder from related conditions can be a difficult task, particularly because they can sometimes co-exist in the same patient.

• #90 Factitious disorders – Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment | BMJ Best Practice US

  https://bestpractice.bmj.com/topics/en-us/695

  Factitious disorder is a syndrome in which signs and/or symptoms of disease are intentionally feigned, exaggerated, or self-induced by a patient when there is no clear principal external incentive for the behavior. […] Distinguishing factitious disorder from related conditions can be a difficult task, particularly because they can sometimes co-exist in the same patient.

• #91 Factitious disorder

  https://www.mymlc.com/health-information/diseases-and-conditions/f/factitious-disorder/?section=Symptoms

  People with factitious disorder may be well aware of the risk of injury or even death as a result of self-harm or the treatment they seek, but they can’t control their behaviors and they’re unlikely to seek help. […] Diagnosing factitious disorder is often extremely difficult. People with factitious disorder are experts at faking many different diseases and conditions. And often they do have real and even life-threatening medical conditions, even though these conditions may be self-inflicted. […] Treatment of factitious disorder is often difficult, and there are no standard therapies. Because people with factitious disorder want to be in the sick role, they’re often unwilling to seek or accept treatment for the disorder.

• #92 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self – Psychiatric Disorders – Merck Manual Professional Edition

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/somatic-symptom-and-related-disorders/factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  Diagnosis of factitious disorder imposed on self is based on history and examination, along with any tests necessary to exclude physical disorders and demonstration of exaggeration, fabrication, simulation, and/or induction of physical symptoms. […] Treatment of factitious disorder imposed on self is usually challenging, and there are no clearly effective treatments. Patients may obtain initial relief by having their treatment demands met, but their symptoms typically escalate, ultimately surpassing what clinicians are willing or able to do.

• #93 Factitious Disorders: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9832-an-overview-of-factitious-disorders

  If you have a factitious disorder, you may: […] Hurt yourself or someone else to cause symptoms […] Intentionally change diagnostic tests or treatment plans (like contaminating a urine sample or damaging a wound to prevent healing) […] Desire sympathy and special attention. […] Signs of a factitious disorder may include reporting symptoms that are perplexing to healthcare providers, like: […] Symptoms that change or increase in unexpected ways after treatment or after returning home from a healthcare facility […] Symptoms that recur unpredictably […] Symptoms that occur only when you’re alone […] New or additional symptoms after a healthcare provider tells you there’s nothing wrong. […] The first goal of treatment for factitious disorders is to modify harmful behaviors and reduce the misuse or overuse of medical resources. Once you meet these goals, your care team will focus on addressing any underlying causes of your behavior and help you find solutions to meet your needs.

• #94 Factitious Disorder: Signs, Symptoms & Causes | All You Should Know

  https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/factitious-disorder/

  Signs of factitious disorder may include: Inconsistent symptoms, Symptoms that dont respond to standard treatments, Failure to find evidence backing up a patients complaint, Symptoms that worsen for no apparent reason, Standard treatments do not improve symptoms, New symptoms emerge as lab or diagnostic results come back negative, History of multiple doctors and doctors visits, Use of a fake name, Thorough knowledge of diseases, symptoms and medical terms. […] The great lengths a person will go to convince others of their sickness puts individuals with factitious disorder in risky and dangerous situations. […] The earlier that factitious disorder is identified and treated, the better the prognosis and outlook for the individual.

• #95 Factitious Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

  https://psychcentral.com/health/factitious-disorder

  Factitious disorder, previously known as Munchausen syndrome, is a mental condition in which a person intentionally produces or falsifies symptoms of physical or mental illness. […] The specific symptoms of factitious disorder are largely based on deception and fabrication of medical injury or illness. One key clue is that claims may be made about particular symptoms that seem confusing or conflicting. […] If you know someone living with factitious disorder, they may also: inflict self-harm to maintain the sick role; report symptoms that are inconsistent with lab results or physical exams; have a history of multiple hospital visits; be eager to have medical procedures done; be unwilling to participate in a psychiatric evaluation; appear unresponsive to treatments; be unwilling to show past medical records.

• #96 Factitious Disorder – Remedy Psychiatry, Inc

  https://remedypsychiatry.com/factitious-disorder/

  Some patients will present with simple, yet serious symptoms that demand immediate attention such as chest pain or breathing issues. Other patients may present with more confusing, complicated symptoms. However, there are some things that providers can look out for that raise suspicion. […] Below are some examples of possible warning signs that an individual is suffering from factitious disorder: Inconsistent and unclear medical symptoms, very extensive knowledge of medical terminology or processes, textbook knowledge on various illnesses, suffers from conditions that do not respond to typical or standard therapies, conditions worsen without logical or apparent reason, dramatic medical history that is hard to follow, symptoms are inconsistent with exam findings, anatomy, or physiology, medical records do not match patient-provided information, extensive knowledge on hospitals, symptoms are hard to control or become more severe even after treatment, symptoms only present when patient is by themselves, relapse of symptoms are unpredictable after medical intervention, new symptoms appear after test results come back negative, eager to have frequent medical testing or procedures, looks for treatment at multiple hospitals from multiple doctors, may even go to a different city, seeks treatment under false names, frequent stays at the hospital, unwilling to let medical providers speak to their friends, family, or prior medical providers, unwilling to release past medical records, refuses psychiatric or mental evaluations, presents with surgical scars. […] Other symptoms of factitious disorder include: hurting oneself to mimic symptoms, lie about symptoms, lie or exaggerate medical histories, tampering with diagnostic tests to yield specific results, arguing with doctors and other medical staff, refusing visitors when they are hospitalized.

• #97 A Systematic Review on Factitious Disorders: Psychopathology and Diagnostic Classification

  https://www.jneuropsychiatry.org/peer-review/a-systematic-review-on-factitious-disorders-psychopathology-and-diagnostic-classification-12370.html

  Factitious disorder (FD) is a psychiatric disorder in which sufferers intentionally fabricate physical or psychological symptoms in order to assume the role of the patient, without any obvious gain. […] The study showed that patients did not meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria in the 11.3% of cases. […] Early detection of factitious disorder is very important to limit harm to patients and early management of FD may facilitate improved outcomes for patients with the disorder. […] The sample shows a prevalence of internal signs/symptoms and this could suggest that in FD there is a more marked internal dimension and that patients involve strategies such as falsification of clinical and personal history or pseudologia fantastica in order to keep it hidden. […] The review highlights the interesting relation between factitious disorder and recurrent surgery addiction. […] Many authors believe that patients with FD are at high risk of suicide. […] The diagnostic criteria for DSM-5 factitious disorders were met in 88.7% of cases.

• #98 A case of factitious disorder presenting with symptoms of movement disorder

  https://psychiatry-psychopharmacology.com/en/a-case-of-factitious-disorder-presenting-with-symptoms-of-movement-disorder-13341

  Factitious disorder (FD) is a diagnostic entity in which patients intentionally create false physical or mental symptoms. […] Although the disorder is rare, having an early diagnose is critical, because it causes unnecessary health expenditures and tends to become chronic. […] In this article, a case of delusional disorder who had been monitored for 6 years, then hospitalized due to a pre-diagnosis of drug induced movement disorder, and had a final diagnosis of FD was discussed. […] Through this case report, it was aimed to emphasize the importance of careful monitoring of the patients for preventing unnecessary investigations and treatments.

• #99 Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders: Factitious Disorders | SpringerLink

  https://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-3-030-42825-9_76-1

  Factitious disorders imposed on the self or another are some of the most challenging conditions clinicians face. They involve the conscious falsification of signs or symptoms of illness. They range from mild severity to life-threatening. […] Munchausens syndrome, although making up the minority of cases with factitious disorder imposed on the self, represents the most severe form and features a persistent lifestyle of illness with patients wandering from hospital to hospital and exaggerated histories. […] Psychological factors that appear to play a role in the etiology of the disorder include wishes to stay in a dependent role (i.e., the sick role), desires to act out angry or guilty feelings, and eagerness to maintain relationships with high-status healthcare professionals. […] In factitious disorder imposed on another, one person creates illness in another, typically an infant or child. Hence this condition involves child abuse and involvement of appropriate legal and social agencies. Treatment requires at least temporary separation of the child from the abuser and psychiatric intervention to ameliorate the morbidity of these children.

• #100 Factitious disorder: causes, symptoms, and treatments – The Diamond Rehab Thailand

  https://diamondrehabthailand.com/what-is-factitious-disorder/

  People with factitious disorders imposed on themselves engage in potentially dangerous behaviors just to appear sick. For instance, they persuade a doctor to undergo a risky surgery. Others ingest substances or inject various chemicals into their bodies to induce injury or symptoms of certain health problems. […] Factitious disorder has a multitude of effects on a persons life, especially when left unmanaged. […] Other effects of the factitious disorder include loss of limbs or organs due to unnecessary surgeries, severe health problems from infections or unnecessary procedures, substance abuse, and injury or death from self-inflicted conditions.

• #101 Factitious disorder imposed on self (Munchausen syndrome) – UpToDate

  https://www.uptodate.com/contents/factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self-munchausen-syndrome

  Factitious disorder imposed on self is characterized by falsified general medical or psychiatric symptoms. Patients deceptively misrepresent, simulate, or cause symptoms of an illness and/or injury in themselves, even in the absence of obvious external rewards such as financial gain, housing, or medications. […] Early investigation of a possible factitious disorder can prevent patient self-harm as well as iatrogenic complications arising from unnecessary tests and treatments. […] Factitious disorder is sometimes referred to as Munchausen syndrome. In some studies, the eponym Munchausen syndrome refers to the subset of severe, chronic, and dramatic cases marked by pathological lying (pseudologia fantastica), peregrination, and use of aliases. […] This topic reviews the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, assessment, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and management of factitious disorder imposed on self.

• #102 Factitious disorders | EBSCO Research Starters

  https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/psychology/factitious-disorders

  Understanding how to identify individuals with factitious disorders early in their treatment process is crucial to public health for three important reasons. First, early identification will help the individual obtain a more appropriate referral. Second, it will conserve valuable health care resources, so that clients who have pressing medical needs get the treatment that they deserve. Third, the earlier in the process these individuals can be identified, the sooner valuable health care dollars can be saved, lowering the cost of health care as a whole. […] These patients pose a special challenge because, in a real sense, they do not wish to become well even as they present themselves for treatment. They are not ill in the usual sense, and their indirect communication and manipulation often make them frustrating to treat using standard goals and expectations.

• #103 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #104 Mental Health: Factitious Disorders

  https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/factitious-disorders

  People with factitious disorders are at risk for health problems (or even death) associated with hurting themselves or otherwise causing symptoms. In addition, they may suffer from reactions or health problems related to multiple tests, procedures, and treatments; and are at high risk for substance abuse and attempts at suicide. […] Some people with factitious disorders suffer one or two brief episodes of symptoms and then get better. In most cases, however, the factitious disorder is a chronic, or long-term, condition that can be very difficult to treat.

• #105 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen Syndrome)

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9833-munchausen-syndrome-factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  It can be difficult to treat factitious disorder imposed on self many people who experience this condition deny that they have it, making it difficult to treat. However, treatment is available when youre ready. […] Your prognosis varies based on your willingness to accept and follow a treatment plan. If you acknowledge the diagnosis and follow your healthcare providers instructions during treatment, youll likely have a positive outcome. If you deny or avoid treatment, your outcome may be poor, and your behavior could be very dangerous, even life-threatening.

• #106 Factitious Disorder: Recognizing and Addressing a Deceptive Behavior – Bangkok Mental Health Hospital

  https://bangkokmentalhealthhospital.com/factitious-disorder/

  The prognosis for individuals with factitious disorder varies depending on the severity of their symptoms, their willingness to engage in treatment, and the presence of underlying mental health conditions. With consistent and appropriate treatment, some individuals may experience significant improvement and reduce their deceptive behaviors. However, factitious disorder is a complex and challenging condition, and relapses may occur.

• #107 What Is the Difference Between Malingering vs Factitious Disorder? – Promises Behavioral Health

  https://www.promises.com/addiction-blog/what-is-the-difference-between-malingering-and-factitious-disorder/

  For people with factitious disorder, theres no expectation of an external reward. Their motivations are often unknown even to themselves. Malingerers fake illness for financial or personal gain. […] For people with these disorders, a correct diagnosis is important. This is especially so for people with factitious disorder. Its only with an accurate diagnosis that they can get the right treatment. Without treatment they risk harming themselves or others, depending on the kind of factitious disorder they have. Some people self-harm to fake disease symptoms. […] Treatment focuses on symptom management, as factitious disorder is considered incurable. Treatment is a multi-pronged approach, which includes: Having a single primary doctor. This helps to reduce or prevent duplicate visits to multiple doctors or specialists; Psychotherapy to learn healthy coping skills. This helps the person reduce their need to lie about their health. Addressing any co-occurring disorders can help too; Medication can treat co-occurring problems such as anxiety or depression; Hospitalization may be needed in some situations. If the person is a danger to themselves, inpatient psychiatric care can help keep them safe.

• #108 Factitious Disorder Treatment – Good Health Psych

  https://goodhealthpsych.com/disorders/factitious-disorder-treatment/

  The cornerstone of treatment involves Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps identify and alter the maladaptive thought patterns driving the deceptive behaviors. […] Over time, through consistent engagement in these therapeutic activities, individuals can expect to see changes. They will learn to manage their desire for attention in healthier ways, decrease their deceptive behaviors, and improve their interpersonal relationships.

• #109 Factitious Disorders: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9832-an-overview-of-factitious-disorders

  The most common treatment for factitious disorder is psychotherapy (a type of counseling). You’ll likely focus on changing your thinking and behaviors (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and learn healthier coping mechanisms. Family therapy also may teach your loved ones not to reward or reinforce certain behaviors. […] Each person with a factitious disorder has a different prognosis. In some cases, the condition can last for years or decades. Other cases get better within months of the first signs. Studies have found that this condition can stop suddenly, usually after loved ones or healthcare providers recognize what’s happening. […] Unfortunately, many people with a factitious disorder avoid seeking treatment for it or following a treatment plan. There’s a risk of life-threatening complications that can abruptly affect a person’s life expectancy.

• #110 Munchausen Syndrome (Factitious disorder)

  https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/munchausen-syndrome

  Although a person with Munchausen syndrome actively seeks treatment for the various disorders they invent, the person often is unwilling to admit to and seek treatment for the syndrome itself. This makes treating people with Munchausen syndrome very challenging and the outlook for recovery poor. […] Some people with Munchausen syndrome suffer one or two brief episodes of symptoms. In most cases, however, the disorder is a chronic, or long-term, condition that can be very difficult to treat.

• #111 Reddit – The heart of the internet

  https://www.reddit.com/r/illnessfakers/comments/ranrb2/an_overview_of_factitious_disorders_symptoms_dx/

  Some people with factitious disorder suffer one or two brief episodes of symptoms. In most cases, however, factitious disorder is a chronic, or long-term, condition that can be very difficult to treat. And unfortunately, due to their low self-awareness, many people with factitious disorder will not seek or follow treatment.

• #112 Factitious Disorder – PsychDB

  https://www.psychdb.com/somatic/dsm-5/factitious

  Factitious disorder usually has first onset in early adulthood, often following a hospitalization for medical or psychiatric reasons. […] Individuals often have a history of multiple hospital admissions and are often willing to undergo invasive procedures. […] These episodes are usually intermittent; for some individuals, the pattern of behaviours can become lifelong. […] The overall prognosis is generally poor when confronted, the majority of individuals will deny their behaviours, and very few will seek treatment. […] For factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA), it usually begins after an initial hospitalization of the individual’s child or other dependent for legitimate reasons. […] For the victims of FDIA (i.e. – children), the mortality rate can be between 6 to 22%. […] Poisoning and suffocation are the most common forms of harm.

• #113 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #114 Factitious Disorders: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9832-an-overview-of-factitious-disorders

  The most common treatment for factitious disorder is psychotherapy (a type of counseling). You’ll likely focus on changing your thinking and behaviors (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and learn healthier coping mechanisms. Family therapy also may teach your loved ones not to reward or reinforce certain behaviors. […] Each person with a factitious disorder has a different prognosis. In some cases, the condition can last for years or decades. Other cases get better within months of the first signs. Studies have found that this condition can stop suddenly, usually after loved ones or healthcare providers recognize what’s happening. […] Unfortunately, many people with a factitious disorder avoid seeking treatment for it or following a treatment plan. There’s a risk of life-threatening complications that can abruptly affect a person’s life expectancy.

• #115 Munchausen Syndrome: Mental Disorder, Symptoms, Test & Treatment

  https://www.emedicinehealth.com/munchausen_syndrome/article_em.htm

  Treating people who have Munchausen syndrome is difficult because they are often unwilling to admit they have it. The treating doctor must be very judicious with invasive diagnostic tests or surgeries, yet try not to miss serious medical conditions. Many people with Munchausen syndrome experience long-term medical complications from illnesses they have induced or from the mechanisms used to treat them. […] People with Munchausen syndrome are rarely treated successfully. They are reluctant to seek treatment for the psychological problem and are generally unwilling to undergo psychiatric treatment. The self-inflicted illnesses and injuries of people with Munchausen syndrome can cause serious consequences. These individuals often undergo several unnecessary surgeries throughout their lifetime.

• #116 Factitious Disorder DSM-5 300.19 (F68.10)

  https://www.theravive.com/therapedia/factitious-disorder-dsm–5-300.19-(f68.10)

  The individual may have unexplained injuries that present as being potentially self-inflicted, ranging from minor cuts to abscesses or sepsis induced by injecting themselves with fecal matter. Other signs can include significant surgical scarring from repeated unnecessary operations – a so-called gridiron abdomen, for example – and affected individuals may even resort to tampering with hospital charts or contaminating test samples. Symptoms of the factitious illness may only appear when the individual believes they have attention, or in the case of negative test results. […] The individual will have a need to receive attention and care, and will often go through many unnecessary and potentially risky methods like surgery in order to obtain what they desire. They may induce illness in themselves in order to achieve this goal, potentially putting their need for nurture higher than their own safety. […] It is not unknown for untreated factitious disorder to result in serious and ultimately fatal illness or suicide.

• #117 Reddit – The heart of the internet

  https://www.reddit.com/r/Residency/comments/14v5scv/factitious_disorder_patients/

  I had a patien who turns out to have factitious disorder. They complained of a strange constellation of debilitating and nonspecific symptoms. To my shock, I got proof during their hospitalization under my care, that they were faking all of their symptoms. This individual, who is young and able bodied, has wasted millions upon millions of Medicaid funds by pretending to have a debilitating condition. And since I documented very clearly that they are faking in my notes, the patient has gone on to have multiple hospitalizations for the SAME thing at another hospital in our system. An attending at another institution during these same few months also documented that they are faking their symptoms. […] If the EMR very clearly shows they are faking, how on earth is this still person still getting getting these invasive and million dollar workups that are harmful to them and also using badly needed public resources? […] Because right now I see someone who is manipulative and wasting badly needed money and resources.

• #118 Factitious disorders | EBSCO Research Starters

  https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/psychology/factitious-disorders

  Understanding how to identify individuals with factitious disorders early in their treatment process is crucial to public health for three important reasons. First, early identification will help the individual obtain a more appropriate referral. Second, it will conserve valuable health care resources, so that clients who have pressing medical needs get the treatment that they deserve. Third, the earlier in the process these individuals can be identified, the sooner valuable health care dollars can be saved, lowering the cost of health care as a whole. […] These patients pose a special challenge because, in a real sense, they do not wish to become well even as they present themselves for treatment. They are not ill in the usual sense, and their indirect communication and manipulation often make them frustrating to treat using standard goals and expectations.

• #119 Factitious disorder – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/factitious-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356034

  Treatment of factitious disorder is often hard, and there are no standard therapies. Because people with factitious disorder want to be in the sick role, they often aren’t willing to seek or accept treatment for the condition. But if approached in a way that doesn’t judge, people with factitious disorder may agree to have a mental health professional assess and treat them. […] Treatment often focuses on managing the condition and making people better able to function, rather than trying to cure it. Treatment generally includes: Having a primary healthcare professional. Using one healthcare professional to oversee medical care can help manage needed care and the treatment plan. This can reduce or stop visits to many healthcare professionals that aren’t needed. Talk therapy. Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, and behavior therapy may help control stress and build coping skills. Family therapy also may be suggested. Other mental health conditions, such as depression, also may be addressed. Medicine. Medicines may be used to treat other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. In-hospital treatment. If factitious disorder symptoms are severe, a short stay in a mental health hospital may be needed for safety and to create a treatment plan.

• #120 Factitious disorder | Beacon Health System

  https://www.beaconhealthsystem.org/library/diseases-and-conditions/factitious-disorder/

  People with factitious disorder may know the risk of injury or even death when they hurt themselves or seek treatment that’s not needed. But they have a hard time managing their behaviors. They also aren’t likely to seek help. Even when they see proof that they’re causing their illness, such as a video, they often deny it and refuse mental health help. […] Diagnosing factitious disorder is often very hard. People with factitious disorder are experts at faking many diseases and conditions. And while these people often look like they have real and even life-threatening medical conditions, they may have brought those conditions on themselves. […] Treatment of factitious disorder is often hard, and there are no standard therapies. Because people with factitious disorder want to be in the sick role, they often aren’t willing to seek or accept treatment for the condition. But if approached in a way that doesn’t judge, people with factitious disorder may agree to have a mental health professional assess and treat them.

• #121 Factitious disorder | UM Health-Sparrow

  https://www.uofmhealthsparrow.org/departments-conditions/conditions/factitious-disorder

  People with factitious disorder may know the risk of injury or even death when they hurt themselves or seek treatment that’s not needed. But they have a hard time managing their behaviors. They also aren’t likely to seek help. Even when they see proof that they’re causing their illness, such as a video, they often deny it and refuse mental health help.

• #122 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen Syndrome)

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9833-munchausen-syndrome-factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  It can be difficult to treat factitious disorder imposed on self many people who experience this condition deny that they have it, making it difficult to treat. However, treatment is available when youre ready. […] Your prognosis varies based on your willingness to accept and follow a treatment plan. If you acknowledge the diagnosis and follow your healthcare providers instructions during treatment, youll likely have a positive outcome. If you deny or avoid treatment, your outcome may be poor, and your behavior could be very dangerous, even life-threatening.

• #123 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #124 Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self – Mental Health Disorders – Merck Manual Consumer Version

  https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/mental-health-disorders/somatic-symptom-and-related-disorders/factitious-disorder-imposed-on-self

  Factitious disorder is pretending to have or producing physical or psychological symptoms for no apparent external reason (not for a clear benefit, such as missing work or school). […] Symptoms may be dramatic and convincing. […] People with factitious disorder imposed on self repeatedly fake having a disorder. If they have a disorder, they exaggerate or lie about the symptoms, pretending that they are sicker or more impaired than they are. […] People with factitious disorder imposed on self may report physical symptoms that suggest a particular disorder, such as chest pain that resembles a heart attack. […] Factitious disorder imposed on self may continue throughout life. […] There are no clearly effective treatments. If people are treated for the disorder that they are faking, they may temporarily feel relief but then typically report additional symptoms and demand further treatments.

• #125 Factitious disorder – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/factitious-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356034

  Treatment of factitious disorder is often hard, and there are no standard therapies. Because people with factitious disorder want to be in the sick role, they often aren’t willing to seek or accept treatment for the condition. But if approached in a way that doesn’t judge, people with factitious disorder may agree to have a mental health professional assess and treat them. […] Treatment often focuses on managing the condition and making people better able to function, rather than trying to cure it. Treatment generally includes: Having a primary healthcare professional. Using one healthcare professional to oversee medical care can help manage needed care and the treatment plan. This can reduce or stop visits to many healthcare professionals that aren’t needed. Talk therapy. Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, and behavior therapy may help control stress and build coping skills. Family therapy also may be suggested. Other mental health conditions, such as depression, also may be addressed. Medicine. Medicines may be used to treat other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. In-hospital treatment. If factitious disorder symptoms are severe, a short stay in a mental health hospital may be needed for safety and to create a treatment plan.

• #126 Factitious Disorders: What Are They, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9832-an-overview-of-factitious-disorders

  The most common treatment for factitious disorder is psychotherapy (a type of counseling). You’ll likely focus on changing your thinking and behaviors (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and learn healthier coping mechanisms. Family therapy also may teach your loved ones not to reward or reinforce certain behaviors. […] Each person with a factitious disorder has a different prognosis. In some cases, the condition can last for years or decades. Other cases get better within months of the first signs. Studies have found that this condition can stop suddenly, usually after loved ones or healthcare providers recognize what’s happening. […] Unfortunately, many people with a factitious disorder avoid seeking treatment for it or following a treatment plan. There’s a risk of life-threatening complications that can abruptly affect a person’s life expectancy.

• #127 What Is the Difference Between Malingering vs Factitious Disorder? – Promises Behavioral Health

  https://www.promises.com/addiction-blog/what-is-the-difference-between-malingering-and-factitious-disorder/

  For people with factitious disorder, theres no expectation of an external reward. Their motivations are often unknown even to themselves. Malingerers fake illness for financial or personal gain. […] For people with these disorders, a correct diagnosis is important. This is especially so for people with factitious disorder. Its only with an accurate diagnosis that they can get the right treatment. Without treatment they risk harming themselves or others, depending on the kind of factitious disorder they have. Some people self-harm to fake disease symptoms. […] Treatment focuses on symptom management, as factitious disorder is considered incurable. Treatment is a multi-pronged approach, which includes: Having a single primary doctor. This helps to reduce or prevent duplicate visits to multiple doctors or specialists; Psychotherapy to learn healthy coping skills. This helps the person reduce their need to lie about their health. Addressing any co-occurring disorders can help too; Medication can treat co-occurring problems such as anxiety or depression; Hospitalization may be needed in some situations. If the person is a danger to themselves, inpatient psychiatric care can help keep them safe.

• #128 Factitious Disorder Treatment – Good Health Psych

  https://goodhealthpsych.com/disorders/factitious-disorder-treatment/

  Factitious disorder, often referred to as Munchausen syndrome, is a complex mental health condition characterized by the intentional feigning, exaggeration, or self-induction of physical or psychological symptoms. […] Individuals with this disorder pretend to be ill or deliberately produce symptoms to assume the sick role and gain attention or sympathy. […] Treatment for factitious disorder is intended for those diagnosed with this condition and primarily focuses on helping individuals understand their behavior patterns, manage their desire for attention in healthier ways, and improve overall life quality. […] The treatment process is typically multimodal and individualized, incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), family therapy, and sometimes medication. […] Treatment for Factitious Disorder begins with a thorough assessment to understand the individual’s unique needs and the extent of their deceptive behaviors. After this evaluation, a tailored treatment plan is developed, which may include individual therapy, group therapy, and possibly family therapy sessions. The goal is to help the individual recognize their harmful behaviors, understand the underlying triggers, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

• #129 Factitious Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

  https://psychcentral.com/health/factitious-disorder

  According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), factitious disorder is officially diagnosed when one or more of the following conditions are met: making up physical and mental signs of being sick or hurt, or intentionally causing injury or illness; pretending to be unwell, impaired, or injured; engaging in deceitful behavior, even when there are no obvious rewards. […] Treatment for factitious disorder can be tricky, often because many individuals may not view their behavior as problematic. […] If a healthcare professional suspects factitious disorder, 2020 research states that a supportive confrontation is suggested as a potential first step toward treatment. […] Worsening behavior might look like increased frequency of self-harm or greater visits to the hospital, among others. If a loved one seems to be claiming illness more often, it could be a sign that theyre behavior is worsening and intervention may be needed. […] Factitious disorder is a serious mental health condition that requires patience and understanding. Treating this disorder requires professional help, and may take significant time to resolve.

• #130 Effective Factitious Disorder Treatment Relies on Compassionate Care – Bridges to Recovery

  https://www.bridgestorecovery.com/blog/effective-factitious-disorder-treatment-relies-on-compassionate-care/

  There are symptoms that can help identify the presence of factitious disorder of the self, including: Extensive knowledge of medical conditions and terminology, Worsening of symptoms for no apparent reason, Non-responsiveness to standard treatment, Seeking treatment from many different providers, Inconsistent and nonspecific symptoms, Reluctance or refusal to allow family or friends to talk to treatment providers or accompany them to treatment, Eager participation in testing and procedures, including surgeries, Frequent medical appointments or hospitalizations, Frequent disagreements with doctors and staff. […] For Nellie, those consequences almost included death. After injecting feces into her bloodstream, she went into septic shock. […] The nature of factitious disorder can present serious concerns for both healthcare professionals and for patients. Not only must your loved one break through their own denial, they then have to ensure that they do not take factitious disorder treatment as an opportunity to perpetuate their condition and their identity as a sick person. […] Once a diagnosis has been made, comprehensive factitious disorder treatment should begin. […] For Catherine and Sarah, factitious disorder treatment was truly transformative.

• #131 Factitious Disorder vs. Malingering | Charlie Health

  https://www.charliehealth.com/post/factitious-disorder-vs-malingering

  Factitious disorder, also known as Munchausen syndrome, is a mental health disorder where people make up or exaggerate physical or psychological symptoms without any clear reason or benefit, according to the DSM-5. […] Factitious disorders are complex and challenging to treat. […] People with factitious disorder can go to great lengths to appear ill. Some may lie about their medical history, fake test results, or even harm themselves to produce symptoms. […] Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps patients recognize and change thought patterns leading to their harmful behaviors. […] Because initiation and maintenance of treatment can be difficult due to the nature of this disorder, a compassionate, patient, and non-judgmental approach from healthcare providers is crucial. […] Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve the prognosis for factitious disorder.

• #132 Factitious Disorder: Signs, Symptoms & Causes | All You Should Know

  https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/mental-health/factitious-disorder/

  Signs of factitious disorder may include: Inconsistent symptoms, Symptoms that dont respond to standard treatments, Failure to find evidence backing up a patients complaint, Symptoms that worsen for no apparent reason, Standard treatments do not improve symptoms, New symptoms emerge as lab or diagnostic results come back negative, History of multiple doctors and doctors visits, Use of a fake name, Thorough knowledge of diseases, symptoms and medical terms. […] The great lengths a person will go to convince others of their sickness puts individuals with factitious disorder in risky and dangerous situations. […] The earlier that factitious disorder is identified and treated, the better the prognosis and outlook for the individual.

• #133 Factitious Disorder – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK557547/

  Factitious disorder is a condition in which a patient intentionally falsifies medical or psychiatric symptoms, which can be self-induced or fabricated. […] Patients with factitious disorders can pose a significant danger to themselves by undergoing a plethora of unnecessary procedures or in the induction of symptoms. […] Based on information from these sources, treatment options are limited, and the prognosis for these patients is generally poor. […] Patients with factitious disorders are generally considered to have a poor prognosis. When confronted, a majority of patients deny their behavior and very few consent to treatment. Of those who do initiate therapy, most drop out. However, there is evidence that patients who persist with long-term therapy have favorable outcomes. […] Factitious disorder is not a benign disease and is associated with morbidity and mortality. Patients are known to cause potentially lethal self-injury and undergo risky procedures. Additionally, they cost the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• #134

  https://www.meetaugust.ai/en/library/diseases-conditions/view/factitious-disorder

  This behavior can lead to serious consequences: […] Self-inflicted harm: They might intentionally harm themselves through actions like faking illness, causing injuries, or inducing infections. […] It’s important to understand that factitious disorder is a serious mental health condition that requires professional help. […] Factitious disorder is a condition where people act like they’re sick, even when they aren’t. […] Recognizing factitious disorder can be challenging. […] Diagnosing factitious disorder focuses on identifying clear signs that the symptoms are not real, rather than trying to understand why the person is doing it. […] The illness doesn’t progress as expected: The illness might not follow the usual pattern of healing. […] Treatment for factitious disorder often focuses on managing the condition and improving the person’s ability to function, not necessarily curing it. […] Treatment may not always be successful, particularly for people with severe factitious disorder. […] If the disorder is being imposed on another person (e.g., a child), healthcare professionals must assess for abuse and report it to the proper authorities.

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