Pronounced: MUN-chow-zins Sin-drome
A factitious disorder is a mental illness in which a person makes up an illness or injury. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) identifies four types of factitious disorders:
A factitious disorder may be confused with another type of mental disorder called somatoform disorder. If a person has somatoform disorder, then he or she is not pretending to be sick. The person really believes that there is something physically wrong. However, the symptoms are actually due to psychological issues. Hypochondria is an example of a somatoform disorder. Someone who has hypochondria fears that a real or imagined minor physical symptom is a sign of serious illness.
A factitious disorder is also different from malingering. Malingering occurs when a person is pretending to be sick for some kind of clear benefit, such as money, food, or housing.
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The exact cause of factitious disorder not known. However, it may be a mixture of biological and psychological factors. Some possible causes may include:
Factitious disorder is more common in people who are young or middle-aged.
Factors that may increase your risk of factitious disorder include:
Symptoms may include:
It is difficult for a doctor to diagnosis a factitious disorder. People who have this disorder become skillful in pretending to have illnesses. The doctor also has to rule out any real physical condition that the person may have.
If the doctor determines that there is no physical cause for the symptoms, then the person may be referred to a mental health expert. This expert can then rule out other psychological conditions, like somatoform disorder and malingering. The person may become hostile and not want to work with a psychologist. However, there are strategies that the doctor can use to act in a way that is more supportive and helpful. The patient can be encouraged to seek mental health treatment.
Factitious disorder is difficult to treat. The person may resist getting help. In some cases, though, the person may agree to work with a mental health expert. Psychotherapy or behavior therapy may be helpful. If the person has any other conditions, like depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems, these can be treated as well.
American Psychiatric Association
American Psychological Association
Canadian Psychiatric Association
Canadian Psychological Association
Cleveland Clinic. An overview of factitious disorders. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Factitious_Disorders/hic_An_Overview_of_Factitious_Disorders.aspx. Updated June 11, 2013. Accessed September 24, 2014.
Huffman JC, Stern TA. The diagnosis and treatment of Munchausen syndrome. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2003;25:358-363.
Munchausen syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated April 28, 2014. Accessed September 24, 2014.
Munchausen syndrome. Patient UK website. Available at: http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Munchausen's-Syndrome.htm. Updated September 17, 2010. Accessed September 24, 2014.
Somatoform disorders. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/somatoform-disorders.html. Updated April 2014. Accessed September 24, 2014.
Last reviewed August 2014 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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