Munchausen
Munchausen Syndrome
Munchausen Syndrome (pronounced: mun-chow-zen sin-drome) is a psychiatric disorder in which an individual repeatedly and deliberately acts as if they have a physical or mental illness when they are not really sick. This condition is considered a mental illness because it is associated with severe emotional difficulties.
Etymology
The term "Munchausen Syndrome" is named after Baron Munchausen, an 18th-century German officer who was known for embellishing the stories of his life and experiences. It was introduced in 1951 by British psychiatrist Richard Asher.
Symptoms
People with Munchausen Syndrome deliberately produce or exaggerate symptoms in several ways. They might lie about or fake symptoms, hurt themselves to bring on symptoms, or alter diagnostic tests. Symptoms can range from mild (slight exaggeration of symptoms) to severe (previously healthy limb is amputated).
Related Terms
- Factitious disorder: This is a similar disorder, in which a person fakes illness to gain attention and sympathy.
- Munchausen by proxy: This is a form of abuse where a person fakes illness in another person under their care.
- Somatoform disorder: This is a mental disorder characterized by physical symptoms that mimic physical disease or injury for which there is no identifiable physical cause.
Treatment
Treatment for Munchausen Syndrome can be challenging because most people with this disorder deny they are doing anything unusual. Therapy is usually aimed at managing the condition, rather than curing it. Treatment generally includes psychotherapy and behavior counseling.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Munchausen
- Wikipedia's article - Munchausen
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