Contents:
- Medical Video: Chris Millard: Munchausen syndromes and modern medicine
- What is Munchausen syndrome?
- Why do people pretend to be sick?
- Who can suffer from mock syndrome?
- How do you recognize the signs?
- Can malingering syndrome be cured?
Medical Video: Chris Millard: Munchausen syndromes and modern medicine
When you were a child, you might have lied to your parents by pretending to be sick. Usually this is done so as to avoid responsibilities such as going to school or when being asked for help by parents. For some people, this habit still continues until adulthood. However, you need to be vigilant if you do this to seek attention or pity from others, and not merely to avoid a responsibility. Don't tell me, you have a sickness sickness syndrome, also known as Munchausen syndrome.
What is Munchausen syndrome?
Munchausen syndrome or malingering syndrome is a type of mental disorder. Sufferers will falsify various symptoms and complaints of disease, both physical and psychological. However, most sufferers of this syndrome will pretend to have certain physical ailments. They will not hesitate to access health facilities for example by going to the hospital, checking a doctor, looking for drugs at a pharmacy, and undergoing various tests to treat this fictitious (fake) disease.
Symptoms of the disease complained are usually in the form of pain in the chest, headache, abdominal pain, fever, and itching or rash on the skin. However, in extreme cases people with pretense syndromes will intentionally hurt themselves to trigger symptoms of the disease. This is done either by means of a hunger strike, dropping in order to have bone fractures, overdose of drugs, or injuring certain body parts.
Why do people pretend to be sick?
The main goal of patients with Munchausen syndrome is to pretend to be sick to get attention, sympathy, compassion, and good treatment whether from family, relatives, or health personnel. They believe that pretending to be sick is the only way that they can receive love and kindness as people who are truly sick will be treated.
In contrast to hypochondrial sufferers who do not realize that the symptoms of the illness are actually fictional, people who suffer from Munchausen syndrome know and are fully aware that they do not have any disease. They will considerably create their own particular clinical conditions to attract the attention of those around them.
So far the cause of Munchausen syndrome has not been found, but experts agree that those who suffer from mental illness also have personality disorders that are shown by their tendency to hurt themselves, difficulty controlling impulses, and histrionic seeking. In addition, various studies link malingering syndrome with a history of childhood trauma due to violence or neglect from parents.
Who can suffer from mock syndrome?
Although no study has succeeded in recording the exact number or prevalence of patients with Munchausen syndrome, experts and medical personnel state that this case is very rare. Munchausen syndrome usually appears in the early adulthood of the sufferer. However, it is possible for people in any age range to suffer from this mental disorder. In some cases, children can also show symptoms of sickness syndrome. So far, most cases reported by health facilities around the world show that this syndrome affects more men.
How do you recognize the signs?
To avoid the various risks posed by this mental disorder, immediately consult a family member who shows various symptoms of the following sickness syndrome.
- History of inconsistencies and frequent changes
- Symptoms of the disease are even worse after examination, treatment, or treatment
- Having extensive knowledge about the illness, medical terms, and various procedures in health facilities
- New symptoms or different symptoms appear after the health test results state that no source of the disease is detected
- Not afraid or hesitant to undergo various examinations, operations, and other procedures
- Very often check different doctors, hospitals and health facilities
- Refuse if the treating doctor asks to meet with the family or contact the doctor beforehand
- Ask for help or attention from others when sick
- Not taking prescription drugs or vitamins
- Refuse if referred to a counselor, psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist
- Symptoms of the disease only appear at certain times, for example when together with other people or when he is having a personal problem
- Having the habit of lying or making up stories
Can malingering syndrome be cured?
Like most mental disorders, people with Munchausen syndrome cannot be cured completely. However, this sick mock syndrome can be controlled after the diagnosis is established and the patient is willing to work with family, relatives, or professional mental health personnel to cope with this syndrome.
If you or the closest person suffers from malingering syndrome, the treatment usually focuses on behavioral changes and reduces patient dependence on various procedures and medical care. The main treatment is usually psychotherapy with cognitive and behavioral therapy methods. Usually families and relatives of patients will also undergo family therapy to assist patients. Medications that are prescribed are generally antidepressants and sufferers must be properly monitored while taking this medication.
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