Factitious disorder

Question 1

What is another name for facitious disorder?

Answer 1

Munchausen’s syndrome

Question 2

What is factitious disorder?

Answer 2

physical or psychological symptoms are intentionally produced i.e. faked in order to adopt the sick role and receive the care of a patient for internal emotional gain (i.e. primary gain)

Question 3

What is the key difference between factitious disorder and malingering?

Answer 3

the motive behind mimicking symptoms: in malingering it is to seek advantageous consequences e.g. evade criminal prosecution or government benefits (secondary gain). in factitious disorder it is for internal emotional gain due to adopting the sick role and receiving patient care (primary gain)

Question 4

What is the primary treatment for Munchausen syndrome?

Answer 4

psychotherapy, e.g. CBT to change behaviour and thinking

family therapy may also be helpful

group therapy may reduce feelings of isoaltion or feelings that no one cares for you