Factitious disorder imposed on self

Factitious disorder imposed on self (formerly known as Munchausen syndrome) is a type of mental disorder where a person deliberately and consistently acts as if they have a physical or mental illness when they are not really sick. This involves the intentional production or faking of symptoms and signs of illness.

Overview

Factitious disorder imposed on self is a complex and poorly understood condition. The individual deliberately induces, feigns, or exaggerates symptoms of illness in themselves, despite the absence of an external reward for such behavior. This distinguishes it from other forms of feigning illness, such as malingering, where the behavior is driven by an external incentive.

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact causes of factitious disorder imposed on self are unknown, though it is believed to involve a complex interplay of psychological factors. Some potential risk factors include:

• A history of childhood trauma or illness
• A personality disorder, particularly borderline or narcissistic personality disorder
• Employment or training in a healthcare field, which provides the knowledge and means to produce symptoms

Diagnosis

Diagnosing factitious disorder imposed on self can be challenging, as it involves ruling out genuine medical conditions and distinguishing the disorder from other psychiatric conditions. Some indicators of the condition can include:

• Medical history that is inconsistent or doesn't align with test results
• Symptoms that improve under observation but worsen when the individual is not being observed
• Eagerness to undergo invasive procedures
• Frequent hospitalizations, often at various hospitals ('doctor shopping')

Treatment

There is no specific cure for factitious disorder imposed on self. Treatment focuses on managing the condition and any coexisting psychiatric disorders. This often involves psychotherapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), to help the individual understand their behaviors and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

See Also

• Factitious disorder imposed on another
• Malingering
• Somatic symptom disorder
• Conversion disorder

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