Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg Mothers who harm their children for attention (with Andrea Dunlop)
Sep 20, 2023
Andrea Dunlop, an author and podcaster known for her true crime insights, dives deep into the troubling world of Munchausen by Proxy. She explains how this psychological disorder manifests, often within maternal figures seeking attention through their children's fabricated illnesses. The discussion highlights the emotional scars left by familial deception, particularly in sibling relationships, and the societal misconceptions surrounding these behaviors. Dunlop also addresses how such dynamics can negatively affect trust and accountability in families, illustrating the complexities of human connection.
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Munchausen Syndrome Explained
- Munchausen Syndrome, or factitious disorder, involves exaggerating or fabricating illnesses for sympathy.
- It's an extreme version of attention-seeking behavior many exhibit, like exaggerating sickness for care.
Malingering vs. Munchausen
- Munchausen differs from malingering, where illness is feigned for external gain (e.g., avoiding work).
- Munchausen is driven by an intrinsic reward: attention and sympathy, even without external benefits.
MBP and Medical Child Abuse
- Munchausen by Proxy (MBP), or factitious disorder imposed on another, involves fabricating or inducing illness in another person, typically a child.
- MBP is often a form of medical child abuse and has a disturbingly high mortality rate.
