Factitious disorder is a mental illness in which a person makes up an illness or injury. This is done for emotional reasons. The person may want attention and care. It is not done for money, food, or housing.
There are two types:
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The cause of factitious disorder not known. It may be due to brain chemistry and emotional needs.
This condition is more common in people who are young or middle aged.
Things that may raise the risk are:
Symptoms may be:
The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. A physical exam may be done.
It is difficult to diagnose factitious disorder. The doctor has to rule out any real illness. A number of tests may be done. If no illness is found, the doctor may refer the patient to counseling.
Factitious disorder is difficult to treat. Some people refuse help. Others may agree to work with a mental health expert.
The goal is to treat the disorder and any other mental health problems. Options may be:
National Institute of Mental Health
https://www.nimh.nih.gov
National Mental Health Association
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net
Canadian Mental Health Association
https://cmha.ca
Canadian Psychiatric Association
http://www.cpa-apc.org
An overview of factitious disorders. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/an-overview-of-factitious-disorders. Accessed March 11, 2021.
Bass C, Wade DT. Malingering and factitious disorder. Pract Neurol. 2019;19(2):96-105.
Factitious disorder. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/factitious-disorder Accessed March 11, 2021.
Münchhausen's syndrome. Patient website. Available at: https://patient.info/doctor/munchhausens-syndrome. Accessed March 11, 2021.
Somatic symptom and related disorders. Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: https://familydoctor.org/condition/somatic-symptom-and-related-disorders/. Accessed March 11, 2021.
Last reviewed January 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrian Preda, MD