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Munchausen syndrome is a mental disorder in which a person pretends to be ill or deliberately causes symptoms of illness in themselves.
Their main intention is to take on the ‘sick role’ so that people care for them and they are the center of attention.
Any practical benefit to pretending to be sick – for example, applying for disability benefits – is not the reason for their behavior.
Munchausen syndrome is named after a German aristocrat, Baron Munchausen, who became famous for telling wild, incredible stories about his exploits.
Munchausen syndrome is complex and poorly understood. Many people refuse psychiatric treatment or psychological profiling, and it is unclear why people with the syndrome behave the way they do.
People with Munchausen syndrome may behave in a number of different ways, including:
- pretending to have psychological symptoms – for example claiming to hear voices or see things that are not really there
- pretending to have physical symptoms – for example, claiming to have chest pain or stomach ache
- actively trying to get sick – such as deliberately infecting a wound by rubbing dirt into it
Some people with Munchausen syndrome may spend years traveling from hospital to hospital, pretending to have a wide variety of illnesses. If it is discovered that they are lying, they may suddenly leave the hospital and move to another area.
People with Munchausen syndrome can be very manipulative and, in the most severe cases, undergo painful and sometimes life-threatening operations, even though they know this is not necessary.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosing Munchausen syndrome can be a challenge for medical professionals.
People with the syndrome are often very persuasive and adept at manipulating and exploiting doctors.
TREATMENT
Treating Munchausen syndrome can be difficult because most people refuse to admit they have a problem and refuse to cooperate with treatment plans.
Some experts recommend that healthcare professionals should take a gentle, non-confrontational approach, suggesting that the person may benefit from a referral to a psychiatrist.
Others argue that someone with Munchausen syndrome should be confronted directly and asked why they lied and whether they are experiencing stress and anxiety.
People with Munchausen’s disease are truly mentally ill, but often only admit that they have a physical illness.
If someone admits to their behavior, he or she may be referred to a psychiatrist for further treatment. If they don’t admit to lying, most experts agree that the doctor responsible for their care should minimize medical contact with them.
This is because the doctor-patient relationship is based on trust and if there are indications that the patient can no longer be trusted, the doctor cannot continue treatment.
SOURCE: NHS