This syndrome, also called (Factitious disorder imposed on self), is a mental health disorder that can be challenging to most health professionals, but if diagnosed correctly and the individual wants treat.ment can be managed appropriately. Munchausen Syndrome is named after Baron von Munchausen, an 18th century German officer who was known for embellishing the stories of his life and experiences.
What is Munchausen Syndrome?
This syndrome occurs when someone tries to get attention and sympathy by falsifying, inducing, and/or exaggerating an illness. The individual lies about symptoms, sabotages medical tests (like putting blood in his/her urine), or harm himself/herself to get the symptoms. Diagnosing and treating Munchausen syndrome is difficult because of the person’s dishonesty.
If you have Munchausen Syndrome, you may undergo painful or risky medical tests and operations in order to get the sympathy and special attention given to people who are truly ill. You may secretly injure yourself to cause signs of illness. You may use a rubber band to cut off circulation to a limb. Some people will cut or burn themselves, poison themselves, reopen wounds, rub faeces or dirt into a wound to cause infection, or eat food contaminated with bacteria.
Most of the 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.
Individuals with Munchausen Syndrome act this way because of an inner need to be seen as ill or injured, not to achieve a concrete benefit such as getting medications or financial gain. This is distinguishable from malingering which is where someone exaggerates or fakes an illness to, for example, get out of work.
What causes Munchausen Syndrome?
The exact cause is not known, but researchers believe psychological factors play a role in the development of this syndrome. Some theories suggest that a history of abuse or neglect as a child, or a history of frequent illnesses requiring hospitalisation, might be factors associated with the development of this syndrome. Other triggers might be experiencing the death of a loved one at a young age – and abandonment. Various studies do not show a link between Munchausen Syndrome and genetics.
Who gets Munchausen’s Syndrome?
Anyone can get this syndrome but it tends to appear to be 2 separate groups of people. They are:
• women who are 20 to 40 years of age, often with a background in healthcare
• unmarried white men who are 30 to 50 years of age
It is unclear why these 2 groups tend to be affected by Munchausen’s Syndrome.
Diagnosing Munchausen’s syndrome
Diagnosing Munchausen’s syndrome can be challenging for medical professionals.
People with the syndrome are often very convincing and skilled at manipulating and exploiting doctors.
Treating Munchausen’s Syndrome
Treating Munchausen’s Syndrome can be difficult because most people with it refuse to admit they have a problem and refuse to cooperate with treatment plans.
Some experts recommend that healthcare professionals should adopt a gentle non-confrontational approach, suggesting the person may benefit from a referral to a psychiatrist.
Others argue that persons with Munchausen’s Syndrome should be confronted directly and asked why they have lied and whether they have stress and anxiety.
People who have Munchausen’s are genuinely mentally ill, but will often only admit to having a physical illness.
If persons admit to their behaviour, they can be referred to a psychiatrist for further treatment. If they do not admit to lying, most experts agree the doctor in charge of their care should minimise medical contact with them. This is because the doctor-patient relationship is based on trust, and if there is evidence the patients can no longer be trusted, the doctor is unable to continue treating them.
What is the difference between Munchausen Syndrome and Munchausen Syndrome by proxy?
Munchausen Syndrome by proxy (also known as factitious disorder imposed on another) is where you act like the person you are caring for (a child, a disabled individual, or an older person, for example) has a physical or mental illness while the person is not actually sick. This is a form of child or elder abuse.
Munchausen Syndrome is pretending you have an illness. By proxy is pretending your dependant has an illness
Conclusion
Munchausen Syndrome is a factitious disorder, a mental disorder in which persons repeatedly and deliberately act as if they have a physical or mental illness when they are not really sick. Munchausen Syndrome is associated with severe emotional difficulties. People with Munchausen Syndrome deliberately produces or exaggerate symptoms in several ways. They may lie about or fake symptoms, hurt themselves to bring on symptoms, or alter tests. Managing these patients can be challenging as they often deny that they have a mental health problem and often refuse treatment. Do you know someone with Munchausen Syndrome? If so encourage him/her to seek professional help.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-eight years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5828).
