| Munchausen syndrome is a psychiatric disorder in | | | | Individuals with Munchausen syndrome intentionally |
| which those affected feign disease, illness, or | | | | produce or exaggerate symptoms. They may lie |
| psychological trauma in order to draw attention or | | | | about or fake symptoms, self-induce injury to |
| sympathy to themselves. It is in a class of | | | | cause symptoms, or alter the results of tests by |
| disorders known as factitious disorders which | | | | contaminating samples such as a urine sample. |
| involve "illnesses" whose symptoms are either | | | | Signs and symptoms of Munchausen syndrome |
| self-induced or falsified by the patient. They might | | | | may include the following: |
| lie about or fake symptoms, hurt themselves to | | | | Sleep apnea. |
| bring on symptoms, or alter diagnostic tests (such | | | | Fever. |
| as contaminating a urine sample). Signs of | | | | Vomiting. |
| Munchausen syndrome include is dramatic but | | | | Poorly formed identity and severe problems with |
| inconsistent medical history. Presence of | | | | self-esteem. |
| symptoms only when the patient is alone or not | | | | Alternative Treatment of Munchausen Syndrome |
| being observed and willingness or eagerness to | | | | Common Treatment of Munchausen Syndrome |
| have medical tests. The most cause of | | | | Nonconfrontational intervention may help people |
| Munchausen syndrome is biological, psychological | | | | with Munchausen. |
| factors and personality disorders. Munchausen | | | | Treatment generally includes psychotherapy and |
| syndrome afflicts the patient who presents with | | | | behavior counseling. If possible, family therapy also |
| the complaint. Munchausen syndrome by proxy | | | | may be suggested. |
| involves inflicting injury on a child or other | | | | Psychotherapy of various types (strategic, |
| dependent person in order to simulate symptoms. | | | | psychodynamic, cognitive) has been reported |
| Treatment of Munchausen syndrome is often | | | | anecdotally to be of benefit in selected cases. |
| difficult, and there are no standard treatments for | | | | Prevention |
| the condition. Treatment generally includes | | | | Because the cause of Munchausen syndrome is |
| psychotherapy and behavior counseling. | | | | unknown, formulating a prevention strategy is |
| Causes of Munchausen Syndrome | | | | difficult. Some medical facilities and healthcare |
| The exact cause of Munchausen syndrome is not | | | | practitioners have attempted to limit hospital |
| known, but researchers believe both biological and | | | | admissions for Munchausen patients by sharing |
| psychological factors play a role in the | | | | medical records. While these attempts may curb |
| development of this syndrome. Some theories | | | | the number of hospital admissions, they do not |
| suggest that a history of abuse or neglect as a | | | | treat the underlying disorder and may endanger |
| child, or a history of frequent illnesses requiring | | | | Munchausen sufferers that have made |
| hospitalization might be factors associated with | | | | themselves critically ill and require treatment. |
| the development of this syndrome. Researchers | | | | Children who are found to be victims of persons |
| also are studying the possible link with personality | | | | with Munchausen by proxy syndrome should be |
| disorders, which are common in individuals with | | | | immediately removed from the care of the |
| Munchausen syndrome | | | | abusing parent or guardian. |
| Signs and Symptoms of Munchausen Syndrome | | | | |