MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME

Course overview

FACTITIOUS DISORDER IMPOSED ON SELF, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MUNCHAUSEN SYNDROME, IS A PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER IN WHICH A PERSON ASSUMES THE ROLE OF A SICK PATIENT WITHOUT THE INTENTION OF EXTERNAL GAIN. PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS ARE INTENTIONALLY PRODUCED WITH THE PURPOSE OF APPEARING TO BE SICK. THESE PATIENTS ARE OFTEN A MEDICAL MYSTERY TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS AS THEIR LABORATORY, AND RADIOGRAPHIC RESULTS MAY BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE HISTORY AND PHYSICAL EXAM. THIS ARTICLE REVIEWS THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF FACTITIOUS DISORDER IMPOSED ON SELF AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.