VamPyroX

What do you think about people with Munchausen Syndrome?

What is it?

Munchausen syndrome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's basically when a person fakes or inflicts illness in order to get attention by others... especially hospitals.

It's named after a guy named Baron Munchausen who made up many stories about what he experienced... for attention.


Have you ever met someone or know anyone who is like this?

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jillio

I had a client who was diagnosed with Munchausen's by Proxy.

Bottesini

In the movie The Sixth Sense, the mother of the little ghost girl who wanted help from the boy had killed the little girl with poisoned food because the mother was suffering Munchausen Syndrome by proxy.

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Oceanbreeze

Oh wow, Jillio. That must have been challenging!

I've never meant anyone with Munchausen or Munchausen by proxy.

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jillio

Very challenging. It was especially difficult to remain unbiased, as she was creating harm for another. Its a complicated and puzzling illness.

Liza

I dont think I've met anyone like that.

If I do meet one, and that person tries to engage me in his or her illness.. what should I do?

shel90

I suspect someone I know has it. It is a child. Cant go into details due to privacy.

Is it possible for that illness to develop in children?

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jillio

Yes, it is possible. It is usually a long standing pattern of behavior before it is diagnosed. It is difficult to differentiate between hypochondria and Munchausen's sometimes, especially with kids.

jillio

The attention they seek is more often from medical professionals. Just do not be terribly sympathetic toward their illness, and if you have evidence of self harm creating the symptoms of physical illness, definately alert someone who can do something.

GalaxyAngel

Tough to find their identity depend their have case stronger or weak.. if you meet the person who have one.

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Oceanbreeze

What are some of the possible personality traits that are seen in Munchausen?

A few that come to mind may be... Narcissitic Personality disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder, and Dependant Personality disorder?

I don't know.. I'm just throwing out a few semi educated guesses with these.

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Bottesini

Munchausen Syndrome


* An Overview of Factitious Disorders
* Munchausen Syndrome

* Ganser Syndrome


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Munchausen Syndrome

* Munchausen Syndrome
* Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy

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. 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. They are even willing to undergo painful or risky tests and operations in order to get the sympathy and special attention given to people who are truly ill. Munchausen syndrome is a mental illness associated with severe emotional difficulties.

Munchausen syndrome -- named for Baron von Munchausen, an 18th century German officer who was known for embellishing the stories of his life and experiences -- is the most severe type of factitious disorder. Most symptoms in people with Munchausen syndrome are related to physical illness -- symptoms such as chest pain, stomach problems, or fever -- rather than those of a mental disorder.

Note: Although Munchausen syndrome most properly refers to a factitious disorder with primarily physical symptoms, the term is sometimes used to refer to factitious disorders in general. In this article, Munchausen syndrome refers to factitious disorder with physical symptoms

Munchausen Syndrome

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jillio

Possible predisposing factors for Factitious Disorders (Munchausen's Disorder is the severe variant) include the presence of other mental disorders or general medical conditions during childhood or adolescence that led to extensive medical treatment or hospitalization, family disruption or physical/emotional abuse inchildhood, a grudge against the medical profession, employment in a medically related field, and presence of a severe Personality Disorder, most often Borderline Personality Disorder. The othe Personality Disorders you mentioned could also be a factor, but Borderline is the one most frequently observed. These individuals are very frequently pathological liars.

There are 3 subtypes: those that present with physical symptoms, those that present with psychological symptoms, and those that present with a combination of physical and psychological symptoms.

Munchausen's should not be confused with malingering, in which symptoms are faked. In Munchausen's, the individual actually creates the symptoms by doing something to make themselves appear to be sick. The symptoms are real, but the reason for the symptoms is self induced.

Oceanbreeze

I was wondering about BPD, too. Wasn't sure, but I read some info on factitious disorder, and some of the characteristics for both match.

It's facinating to me. I'm more familiar with Munchausen by Proxy, though.

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Dixie

I was friends for a while with a woman who showed signs for both hypochondria and Munchausen's Syndrome. She wanted the sympathy and handouts from anyone within and outside the medical profession.

Once I caught on to her game, I just cut the friendship and moved on. I will help those in genuine need as I am a believer that people should help those in need and those who have been helped in the past should return the favor or pass it on. But for those who fake it or self-inflict the illness or injury, I cannot support them.

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jillio

But they are ill. They have a mental disorder that is quite serious.

Buffalo

Isn't anorexia nervosa is like Munchausen Syndrome? One would starve in order to get attention?

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VamPyroX

Not really. Munchausen Syndrome involves lying or causing damage to yourself to make it look like it's a problem... all for attention.

By not eating or by puking just to make yourself thin for attention doesn't involve lying or damaging yourself to make it look like a problem.

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jillio

No. The reaspns behind a restricted food intake in anorexics is quite different than the motivation for Munchausen's patients. Anorexics do not engage in their behavior as a way to get attention.

Byrdie714

Unforutnately I have met an individual that had Munchausen syndrome.

The first time was when she called saying that she had an emergency and the paradmedics were at her house. After the trip to the ER and back to her house. Things seemed fine.

A week later--a different situation happend and again, off to the ER.

While all this was going on, she also mentioned how many doctor appointments that she had to keep and it was conflicting with her work schedule. My first thought was, "Gee....I feel sorry for you." Which later turned, "what the h*** is wrong with you?!"

Anyway after the fourth trip to the ER in a month and a half, I told her that she had to quit calling me for emergencies because....I have a life to live.

jillio

Good for you, Byrdie. Reduce the secondary gains, and the behavior is much less likely to recur.

Byrdie714

Exactly and I don't want to be on first name basis with the people in the ER!

jillio

Can't blame you there!

meyag2

never heard of that word before. interesting

i wonder is hypochondriac related to like this one munchausen syndrome? i know someone who have hypochondriac. i know her for several years. she's always afraid that she thinks she's going to get sick.

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jillio

No, they are two different types of disorder.

meyag2

oh okay, thanks jillio

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jillio