Factitious disorder imposed on self

For cases of feigned illness not driven by a psychiatric disorder, see Malingering.

Factitious disorder imposed on self
Other namesMunchausen syndrome[1]
SpecialtyPsychology, Psychiatry

Factitious disorder imposed on self, also known as Munchausen syndrome, is a factitious disorder in which those affected feign or induce disease, illness, injury, abuse, or psychological trauma to draw attention, sympathy, or reassurance to themselves. Munchausen syndrome fits within the subclass of factitious disorder with predominantly physical signs and symptoms, but patients also have a history of recurrent hospitalization, travelling, and dramatic, extremely improbable tales of their past experiences.[2] The term Munchausen syndrome derives its name from the fictional character Baron Munchausen.

Factitious disorder imposed on self is related to factitious disorder imposed on another, which refers to the abuse of another person, most often of a child and occasionally of another adult such as of a partner, in order to seek attention or sympathy for the abuser.[3] This is considered "Munchausen by proxy", and the drive to create symptoms for the victim can result in unnecessary and costly diagnostic or corrective procedures.[4]

  1. ^ Ray WJ (2016). Abnormal Psychology. SAGE Publications. p. PT794. ISBN 978-1-5063-3337-3.
  2. ^ Kay J, Tasman A (2006). Essentials of psychiatry. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. p. 680. ISBN 978-0-470-01854-5.
  3. ^ Munchausen syndrome by adult proxy: a perpetrator abusing two adults American Psychological Association. Mercia D. Sigal et al. 1986. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  4. ^ Huffman JC, Stern TA (2003). "The diagnosis and treatment of Munchausen's syndrome". General Hospital Psychiatry. 25 (5). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier: 358–63. doi:10.1016/S0163-8343(03)00061-6. PMID 12972228.