Factitious disorder

Overview

Factitious disorder, previously called Munchausen syndrome, is a serious mental health condition in which people deceive others by pretending to be sick. They do this by faking symptoms, getting sick on purpose or hurting themselves. Factitious disorder also can happen when family members or caregivers falsely present others, such as children, as being ill, hurt or having a hard time functioning.

Factitious disorder symptoms can range from mild to severe. People may make up symptoms or even tamper with medical tests to convince others that they need treatment, such as high-risk surgery.

Factitious disorder isn't the same as making up medical issues for a benefit or reward, such as getting out of work or winning a lawsuit. Although people with factitious disorder know they are causing their symptoms or illnesses, they may not know why they do what they do or see themselves as having mental health issues.

Factitious disorder is a rare condition that can be hard to diagnose and treat. Help from medical and mental health professionals is critical to prevent serious injury and even death when people with factitious disorder hurt themselves.

Causes

The cause of factitious disorder isn't known. But a mix of mental health issues and stressful life experiences may cause the condition.

Risk factors

Several factors may raise the risk of developing factitious disorder, including:

• Childhood trauma, such as emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
• A serious illness during childhood.
• Loss of a loved one through death or illness, or feeling abandoned.
• Past experiences while sick and the attention it brought.
• A poor sense of identity or low self-esteem.
• Personality disorders.
• Depression.
• Desire to be linked with healthcare professionals or medical centers.
• Working in the healthcare field.

Factitious disorder is thought to be rare, but it isn't known how many people have the condition. Some people use fake names. Some visit many hospitals and healthcare professionals. And some are never identified. This makes it hard to get a reliable estimate.

Complications

People with factitious disorder are willing to risk their lives to be seen as sick. They often have other mental health conditions as well. As a result, they face many possible complications, including:

• Injury or death from medical conditions that they cause themselves.
• Severe health issues from infections or from surgeries or other procedures that aren't needed.
• Loss of organs or limbs from surgeries that aren't needed.
• Misuse of alcohol or other substances.
• Major problems in daily life, including having trouble getting along with others and working.
• Abuse, when the behavior is imposed on another.

Prevention

Because the cause of factitious disorder isn't known, there's no way to prevent it. Recognizing and treating factitious disorder may help avoid potentially dangerous tests and treatments that aren't needed.