Speaking of Psychology Medical Deception: Understanding Munchausen Syndrome/Factitious Disorder, with Marc Feldman, MD, and Janet Cahill, PhD
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May 24, 2023 Why would someone fake illness without an obvious payoff, or make a child appear sick? Two specialists explore factitious disorder, medical child abuse, and the fine line between deception, malingering, and health anxiety. They also discuss fabricated illness online, why these cases can go unnoticed, and the challenges of treatment and protecting children.
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Clarifying Disorder Terminology
- The term 'factitious disorder' is the official diagnosis, while 'Munchausen syndrome' is more familiar to the public.
- 'Medical child abuse' is preferred over 'Munchausen by proxy' to emphasize the abuse of children.
Factitious Disorder vs Malingering
- Malingering involves faking illness for tangible external gains like money or avoiding duties.
- Factitious disorder involves deceptive behavior for psychological needs such as attention and sympathy.
Munchausen by Internet Stories
- Munchausen by Internet involves people faking illnesses online using just words.
- They can easily research and act out illnesses, often convincing online support groups.