Munchanuan Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is Munchausen syndrome?
A serious mental disorder where someone pretends to be unwell or deliberately makes themselves unwell to gain attention.
Usually associated with a pre-existing disorder.
What is a key characteristic of Munchausen syndrome?
Deliberate self-harm or deception to simulate illness.
Patients may even change their names to extend treatment.
Munchausen syndrome is classified under which broader category of disorders?
Factitious disorders.
Factitious disorders involve feigning illness for psychological reasons.
What are some diagnostic features of Munchausen syndrome?
Essential features include:
* Pathological lying
* Recurrent feigned or simulated illness
* Lengthy medical records
* Multiple hospitalizations
* Willingness to undergo medical procedures
* Inconsistencies between history and medical findings.
May also involve traits of borderline or antisocial personality disorders.
What must be ruled out when diagnosing Munchausen syndrome?
Other medical disorders, such as delusional disorder.
Diagnosis requires careful evaluation of the patient’s history and symptoms.
True or False: Munchausen syndrome is common.
False.
It is very rare and hard to establish due to the deception involved.
What is a potential reward for individuals with Munchausen syndrome?
Attention received from medical professionals.
This disorder often involves exaggerating genuine symptoms or creating new ones.
Fill in the blank: Munchausen syndrome often leads to ____________ in childhood.
Deprivation.
Early life experiences may contribute to the development of this disorder.
What is a notable behavior of individuals with Munchausen syndrome regarding medical procedures?
Willingness to submit to painful or risky medical procedures.
This contrasts with typical patient behavior where individuals avoid risk.
What demographic is more likely to be affected by Munchausen syndrome?
More likely to be male.
Gender differences may play a role in the prevalence of the disorder.
What psychological traits may be present in individuals with Munchausen syndrome?
Borderline and antisocial personality traits.
These traits can complicate diagnosis and treatment.
What is Malingering?
Deliberately making oneself unwell for an obvious reason or incentive
Examples include avoiding criminal prosecution, reducing compensation, or gaining disability allowance.
What is a distinct type of Malingering?
Munchhausen syndrome
Munchhausen syndrome involves feigning illness for attention rather than external incentives.
What type of reinforcement is associated with Malingering?
External reinforcement
This can include avoiding something negative or gaining benefits.
In which professions is Malingering thought to be more common?
Legal and Military professions
These environments may have higher instances of individuals feigning illness.
True or False: Malingering is always associated with psychological disorders.
False
Malingering is a deliberate choice rather than a psychological condition.
Fill in the blank: Malingering is often used to avoid _______.
criminal prosecution
What can Malingering lead to in terms of benefits?
Gaining disability allowance
Individuals may feign illness to qualify for financial support.
What is a reason someone might engage in Malingering?
To reduce compensation
This can occur in contexts like insurance claims.
