Diagnostic criteria for factitious disorder These are: Intentional induction or falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms. The individual presents themselves as ill, impaired or injured to others. The deceptive behavior persists even in the absence of external incentives or rewards.

Factitious disorder is a serious mental disorder in which someone deceives others by appearing sick, by purposely getting sick or by self-injury. Factitious disorder also can happen when family members or caregivers falsely present others, such as children, as being ill, injured or impaired.

What Is Malingering? Malingerers engage in many of the same activities as people with factitious disorder. They exaggerate or make up symptoms of an illness, either physical or psychiatric. Whereas factitious disorder is a mental health condition with no clear cause, malingerers do it for personal gain.

There are four main types of factitious disorders, including: Factitious disorder with mostly psychological symptoms: As the description implies, people with this disorder mimic behavior that is typical of a mental illness, such as schizophrenia.

To help determine if someone has factitious disorder, doctors:

1. Conduct a detailed interview.
2. Require past medical records.
3. Work with family members for more information — if the patient gives permission.
4. Run only tests required to address possible physical problems.

The primary treatment for factitious disorder is psychotherapy (a type of counseling). Treatment likely will focus on changing the thinking and behavior of the individual with the disorder (cognitive-behavioral therapy).

Dissociative identity disorder. Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, this disorder is characterized by “switching” to alternate identities. You may feel the presence of two or more people talking or living inside your head, and you may feel as though you’re possessed by other identities.

A rare syndrome leaves a teenage girl bedridden from excessive sleepiness. A 17-year-old girl in Colombia drops into bouts of sleep that can last for days, weeks, or even months.

Stendhal syndrome, Stendhal’s syndrome or Florence syndrome is a psychosomatic condition involving rapid heartbeat, fainting, confusion and even hallucinations, allegedly occurring when individuals become exposed to objects, artworks, or phenomena of great beauty.

The exact cause of KLS is unknown, but some doctors believe certain factors can increase your risk for this condition. For example, KLS may arise from an injury in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls sleep, appetite, and body temperature.

A very rare condition, known as aesthetic syndrome and, more commonly, Stendhal syndrome, entails a clinical phenomenon in which the presence of a beautiful piece of work or architecture causes dysautonomic symptoms such as tachycardia, diaphoresis, chest pains and loss of consciousness.

Marie-Henri Beyle

Munchausen syndrome (also known as factitious disorder) is a rare type of mental disorder in which a person fakes illness. The person may lie about symptoms, make themselves appear sick, or make themselves purposely unwell.

Signs and symptoms of Munchausen syndrome may include, dramatic medical history of serious illness, often with inconsistent details of the problem, symptoms that fit a diagnosis too perfectly or lack of signs that go with symptoms (for example, no sign of dehydration yet the person complains of diarrhea and vomiting).

What should you do if you think someone has Munchausen syndrome by proxy?

1. Keep a journal of the child’s symptoms and other related events.
2. Talk with your doctor about your concerns.
3. Report your concerns to your local child welfare agency. You can make a report without using your name (anonymous).

Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a mental illness and a form of child abuse. The caretaker of a child, most often a mother, either makes up fake symptoms or causes real symptoms to make it look like the child is sick.

Hypochondria, also called illness anxiety disorder, is when you’re completely preoccupied and worried that you’re sick. Munchausen syndrome, now known as factitious disorder, is when you always want to be sick.