Psych
Content
Munchausen syndrome
Criteria
Criteria for diagnosis includes intentionally fabricating (or faking) to produce physical or psychological signs or symptoms and the absence of any other mental disorder. Motivation for their behavior must be to assume the sick role, and they do not act sick for personal gain as in the case of malingering sentiments. When the individual applies this pretended sickness to a dependent, for example a child, it is often referred to as factitious disorder by proxy.'
Symptoms
Dramatic but inconsistent medical history Unclear and uncontrollable symptoms Extensive knowledge and information about medical terminologies and illnesses Presence of multiple surgical scars Willingness to take risk surgeries and tests Visiting numerous hospitals, clinics and medical centers
Cont.
Problems of self esteem and identity They may exaggerate a medical problem—e.g., by claiming occasional mild back pain is crippling. They may falsify lab results—e.g., by adding blood or protein to a urine specimen They may exaggerate or lie about other aspects of their lives.
Causes
The cause of MS is unknown. Some experts suggest it is the result of defense mechanism to sexual behavior Attention seeking Low self esteem and loss of confidence Others believe it is a form of self punishment
Effects of Munchausen syndrome
Criminal behavior (especially involving deception, such as fraud) Repeated self-harm Misuse of Medications, Drugs and Alcohol
Treatment
The primary treatment for factitious disorders is psychotherapy (a type of counseling). Treatment likely will focus on changing the thinking and behavior of the individual with the disorder (cognitive-behavioral therapy). Family therapy also may be helpful in teaching family members not to reward or reinforce the behavior of the person with the disorder.
MS is hard to detect by doctors
Differential Diagnosis:
Some disorders have similar symptoms. The clinician, therefore, in his diagnostic attempt, has to differentiate against the following disorders which need to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis. Factitious Malingering Hypochondriasis Conversiondisorder Somati zationdisorder Pain associated with psychological factors True medical or psychiatric illness related to presenting complaints
More facts about MS
Studies of medical patients suggest that the prevalence of factitious disorder is probably in the range of 0.2-1% of hospital inpatients. Munchausen's syndrome is not included as a
Sources
Dr. Marc. "Munchausen Syndrome." Rev. of Munchausen Syndrome. http://www.munchausen.com/index.html. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. Hamilton, James C. "Munchausen Syndrome." http://emedicine.medscape.com/ article/295127-overview. Medcape, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. DSM-IV), ed. "http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/295127-overview." Patient UK , n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. <http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/ Munchausen's-Syndrome.htm>. Wales, Jimmey, dir. Wiki page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Münchausen_syndro me_by_proxy. Cleveland Clinic , n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. <http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/factitious_disorders/ hic_munchausen_syndrome_by_proxy.aspx>.
Criteria
Criteria for diagnosis includes intentionally fabricating (or faking) to produce physical or psychological signs or symptoms and the absence of any other mental disorder. Motivation for their behavior must be to assume the sick role, and they do not act sick for personal gain as in the case of malingering sentiments. When the individual applies this pretended sickness to a dependent, for example a child, it is often referred to as factitious disorder by proxy.'
Symptoms
Dramatic but inconsistent medical history Unclear and uncontrollable symptoms Extensive knowledge and information about medical terminologies and illnesses Presence of multiple surgical scars Willingness to take risk surgeries and tests Visiting numerous hospitals, clinics and medical centers
Cont.
Problems of self esteem and identity They may exaggerate a medical problem—e.g., by claiming occasional mild back pain is crippling. They may falsify lab results—e.g., by adding blood or protein to a urine specimen They may exaggerate or lie about other aspects of their lives.
Causes
The cause of MS is unknown. Some experts suggest it is the result of defense mechanism to sexual behavior Attention seeking Low self esteem and loss of confidence Others believe it is a form of self punishment
Effects of Munchausen syndrome
Criminal behavior (especially involving deception, such as fraud) Repeated self-harm Misuse of Medications, Drugs and Alcohol
Treatment
The primary treatment for factitious disorders is psychotherapy (a type of counseling). Treatment likely will focus on changing the thinking and behavior of the individual with the disorder (cognitive-behavioral therapy). Family therapy also may be helpful in teaching family members not to reward or reinforce the behavior of the person with the disorder.
MS is hard to detect by doctors
Differential Diagnosis:
Some disorders have similar symptoms. The clinician, therefore, in his diagnostic attempt, has to differentiate against the following disorders which need to be ruled out to establish a precise diagnosis. Factitious Malingering Hypochondriasis Conversiondisorder Somati zationdisorder Pain associated with psychological factors True medical or psychiatric illness related to presenting complaints
More facts about MS
Studies of medical patients suggest that the prevalence of factitious disorder is probably in the range of 0.2-1% of hospital inpatients. Munchausen's syndrome is not included as a
Sources
Dr. Marc. "Munchausen Syndrome." Rev. of Munchausen Syndrome. http://www.munchausen.com/index.html. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. Hamilton, James C. "Munchausen Syndrome." http://emedicine.medscape.com/ article/295127-overview. Medcape, n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. DSM-IV), ed. "http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/295127-overview." Patient UK , n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. <http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/ Munchausen's-Syndrome.htm>. Wales, Jimmey, dir. Wiki page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Münchausen_syndro me_by_proxy. Cleveland Clinic , n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. <http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/factitious_disorders/ hic_munchausen_syndrome_by_proxy.aspx>.
