Factitious disorder: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Factitious disorder | |||
| synonyms = [[Munchausen syndrome]] | |||
| field = [[Psychiatry]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Falsification]] of physical or psychological symptoms, [[deception]] | |||
| complications = [[Injury]], [[unnecessary medical procedures]] | |||
| onset = [[Adulthood]] | |||
| duration = [[Chronic]] | |||
| causes = [[Unknown]], possibly [[psychological factors]] | |||
| risks = [[History of abuse]], [[personality disorders]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Clinical assessment]], [[DSM-5]] criteria | |||
| differential = [[Malingering]], [[somatic symptom disorder]] | |||
| treatment = [[Psychotherapy]], [[cognitive behavioral therapy]] | |||
| prognosis = [[Variable]], often [[chronic]] | |||
| frequency = [[Rare]] | |||
}} | |||
'''Factitious disorder''' is a mental disorder in which a person acts as if they have a physical or mental illness when they are not really sick. Factitious disorder by proxy is when a person acts as if a person in their care has an illness when they do not. | '''Factitious disorder''' is a mental disorder in which a person acts as if they have a physical or mental illness when they are not really sick. Factitious disorder by proxy is when a person acts as if a person in their care has an illness when they do not. | ||
== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
Factitious disorder is a type of mental disorder in which a person creates or exaggerates symptoms of illness in themselves or others. This is done for reasons other than financial gain, such as to receive attention or sympathy. The person may lie about or fake symptoms, hurt themselves to bring on symptoms, or alter diagnostic tests. | Factitious disorder is a type of mental disorder in which a person creates or exaggerates symptoms of illness in themselves or others. This is done for reasons other than financial gain, such as to receive attention or sympathy. The person may lie about or fake symptoms, hurt themselves to bring on symptoms, or alter diagnostic tests. | ||
== Types == | == Types == | ||
There are two main types of factitious disorder: factitious disorder imposed on self, and factitious disorder imposed on another (also known as [[Munchausen syndrome by proxy]]). | There are two main types of factitious disorder: factitious disorder imposed on self, and factitious disorder imposed on another (also known as [[Munchausen syndrome by proxy]]). | ||
=== Factitious disorder imposed on self === | === Factitious disorder imposed on self === | ||
In this type, the person presents themselves as ill, impaired, or injured. They may go to great lengths to create the appearance of illness, including lying about symptoms, faking medical records, or physically harming themselves to produce symptoms. | In this type, the person presents themselves as ill, impaired, or injured. They may go to great lengths to create the appearance of illness, including lying about symptoms, faking medical records, or physically harming themselves to produce symptoms. | ||
=== Factitious disorder imposed on another === | === Factitious disorder imposed on another === | ||
In this type, also known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, the person induces symptoms in another person under their care, such as a child or elderly adult. This can involve lying about symptoms, altering diagnostic tests, or physically harming the person to produce symptoms. | In this type, also known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, the person induces symptoms in another person under their care, such as a child or elderly adult. This can involve lying about symptoms, altering diagnostic tests, or physically harming the person to produce symptoms. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
The exact cause of factitious disorder is not known. It is thought to be related to a variety of factors, including childhood trauma, personality disorders, and a desire for attention or care. | The exact cause of factitious disorder is not known. It is thought to be related to a variety of factors, including childhood trauma, personality disorders, and a desire for attention or care. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
Treatment for factitious disorder can be challenging, as people with this disorder often deny they are faking symptoms. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, with the goal of helping the person understand why they are faking illness and teaching them healthier ways to cope with their feelings. | Treatment for factitious disorder can be challenging, as people with this disorder often deny they are faking symptoms. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, with the goal of helping the person understand why they are faking illness and teaching them healthier ways to cope with their feelings. | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Mental disorder]] | * [[Mental disorder]] | ||
* [[Personality disorder]] | * [[Personality disorder]] | ||
* [[Psychotherapy]] | * [[Psychotherapy]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Mental disorders]] | [[Category:Mental disorders]] | ||
[[Category:Personality disorders]] | [[Category:Personality disorders]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:10, 4 April 2025
| Factitious disorder | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Munchausen syndrome |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Falsification of physical or psychological symptoms, deception |
| Complications | Injury, unnecessary medical procedures |
| Onset | Adulthood |
| Duration | Chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Unknown, possibly psychological factors |
| Risks | History of abuse, personality disorders |
| Diagnosis | Clinical assessment, DSM-5 criteria |
| Differential diagnosis | Malingering, somatic symptom disorder |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Variable, often chronic |
| Frequency | Rare |
| Deaths | N/A |
Factitious disorder is a mental disorder in which a person acts as if they have a physical or mental illness when they are not really sick. Factitious disorder by proxy is when a person acts as if a person in their care has an illness when they do not.
Definition[edit]
Factitious disorder is a type of mental disorder in which a person creates or exaggerates symptoms of illness in themselves or others. This is done for reasons other than financial gain, such as to receive attention or sympathy. The person may lie about or fake symptoms, hurt themselves to bring on symptoms, or alter diagnostic tests.
Types[edit]
There are two main types of factitious disorder: factitious disorder imposed on self, and factitious disorder imposed on another (also known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy).
Factitious disorder imposed on self[edit]
In this type, the person presents themselves as ill, impaired, or injured. They may go to great lengths to create the appearance of illness, including lying about symptoms, faking medical records, or physically harming themselves to produce symptoms.
Factitious disorder imposed on another[edit]
In this type, also known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, the person induces symptoms in another person under their care, such as a child or elderly adult. This can involve lying about symptoms, altering diagnostic tests, or physically harming the person to produce symptoms.
Causes[edit]
The exact cause of factitious disorder is not known. It is thought to be related to a variety of factors, including childhood trauma, personality disorders, and a desire for attention or care.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for factitious disorder can be challenging, as people with this disorder often deny they are faking symptoms. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, with the goal of helping the person understand why they are faking illness and teaching them healthier ways to cope with their feelings.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
<references />
