Munchausen syndrome

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Munchausen syndrome

Munchausen syndrome– an artificially demonstrated disorder characterized by the deliberate falsification of symptoms in order to be recognized as ill. At the same time, there are no other motives for such behavior (for example, economic gain or physical well-being). Frequency. Nine percent of all cases admitted to clinics have a demonstrable disorder, which is more common in males and health care workers. The disease traditionally begins at a young age. Clinical picture. Patients so plausibly falsify all kinds of symptoms and diseases that they seek hospitalization and treatment. Clinical complaints are endless and varied. Such patients insist on surgical interventions, invasive diagnostic procedures, treatment with certain products (usually analgesics). If the falsifiable disease is not confirmed, they begin to accuse the doctor of incompetence, threaten to bring him to court and show aggression towards others. They may suddenly check out if they think they will soon be accused of simulation. Then they seek hospitalization in another clinic, and everything repeats again. Coerced Munchausen syndrome is a variant of an artificially demonstrated disorder, manifested by the cruel treatment of an adult (traditionally a mother) with a child in the form of a falsification of the child’s symptoms of the disease (including by suggestion), which leads to unnecessary examinations and unreasonable interventions, often with serious consequences (including death) for the child. An artificially demonstrated disorder with psychological symptoms is a falsification of mental disorders. Noted much less frequently.

Differential Diagnosis

    • Somatic and neurological diseases, similar in clinical picture to the complaints that the patient makes
    • Mental disorders
    • Somatoform disorders
    • Personality disorders
    • Schizophrenia
    • Substance abuse
    • Simulation.

Treatment is psychotherapy.

Current and forecast. The course is usually chronic, the prognosis is poor. Most of the sick begin social and labor maladjustment, and some of them die as a result of unnecessary surgical interventions, diagnostic procedures, and treatment.

Synonyms

    • hospital addiction syndrome
    • Polysurgical habituation
    • Occupational Syndrome of the Sick
    • Laparato-mophilia

ICD. F68.1 Intentionally causing or feigning physical or mental symptoms or disability