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Munchausen Syndrome - Munchausen Syndrome Symptom, Cause, Treatment
Munchausen syndrome is a type of factitious disorder, or mental illness, in which a person repeatedly acts as if he or she has a physical or mental disorder when, in truth, they have caused the symptoms. The term Munchausen syndrome is often used interchangeably with factitious disorder. Factitious disorder refers to any illness that is intentionally produced for the main purpose of assuming the sick role, although that purpose is unknown to the "sick" person. People with factitious disorders act this way because of an inner need to be seen as ill or injured, not to achieve a concrete benefit, such as financial gain.
Symptoms of Munchausen Syndrome
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 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 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
Causes of Munchausen Syndrome
The causes of Munchausen Syndrome are includes the following
- Once a determination has been made that a disease presentation is factitious, the absence of a clear source of primary or secondary gain is the hallmark that distinguishes Munchausen syndrome from other factitious illnesses. No convincing explanation of secondary gain has yet been described in patients with Munchausen syndrome.
- In contrast to Munchausen syndrome, malingering patients have a clear primary gain in their efforts to escape some task or obligation.
- Conversion and somatoform disorders also are driven by a secondary gain. Treating the underlying stressor often can alleviate the presenting symptoms.
- In contrast, a patient with Munchausen syndrome actively seeks hospitalization and invasive painful procedures as a primary goal.
- Munchausen syndrome afflicts the patient who presents with the complaint. Munchausen syndrome by proxy involves inflicting injury on a child or other dependent person in order to simulate symptoms. There is no obvious or plausible secondary gain to the caretaker who performs these actions. Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a form of abuse and must promptly be acted upon when suspected.
Treatment of Munchausen Syndrome
Treating people who have Munchausen syndrome is difficult because they are often unwilling to admit they have it.
- Medications can be useful if conditions exist along with the Munchausen syndrome.
- Persons with Munchausen syndrome can induce or develop authentic illnesses requiring surgery, but further surgical procedures should be treated with great caution.
- Psychotherapy of various types (strategic, psychodynamic, cognitive) has been reported anecdotally to be of benefit in selected cases.
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