Munchausen syndrome is a type of factitious disorder, or mental illness. Persons with this disorder act as if he or she has a physical or mental disorder over and over again. In reality, these persons have caused their own symptoms.

Why would a person fake being ill? Some researchers say they act this way because of an inner need to be seen as ill or injured for attention and/or to be treated as a medical patient, and not so much for financial gain. They desire sympathy and are willing to even undergo painful or risky tests and operations in order to get the sympathy they crave.

Munchausen syndrome is named for Baron von Munchausen, an 18th century German officer who was known for embellishing the stories of his life and experiences. It is the most severe type of factitious disorder. Most symptoms expressed by persons with Munchausen syndrome are related to physical illness such as chest pain, stomach problems, or fever rather than symptoms of a mental disorder. There have been people so skilled at faking seizures not even a much trained professional could tell the difference. The term Munchausen syndrome is also sometimes used to refer to factitious disorders in general.

Possible warning signs of Munchausen syndrome may include the following:

• A dramatic but inconsistent medical history.
• Unclear symptoms not controllable that become more severe or change once treatment begins.
• Predictable relapses following improvement in the condition.
• Extensive knowledge of hospitals and/or medical terminology.
• Presence of multiple surgical scars.
• Appearance of new or additional symptoms following negative test results.
• Eagerness to have medical tests, operations, or other procedures.
• History of seeking treatment at numerous hospitals, clinics and doctors offices even in different cities.
• Problems with identity and self-esteem
• Reluctance by the patient to allow health care professionals to meet with or talk to family, friends, or prior health care providers.

The exact cause of Munchausen syndrome is not known. Some researchers believe it is a combination of biological and psychological factors. Some theories suggest Munchausen syndrome is caused by a history of child abuse or neglect as a child.

Other experts suggest Munchausen syndrome is caused by a defense mechanism against sexual and aggressive impulses. Others believe it may be a form of self-punishment.

There is also a possible link with personality disorders. Personality disorders are common in individuals with Munchausen syndrome.

The syndrome is considered to be rare. It can occur in children, but most often affects young adults.

Doctors have a difficult time diagnosing Munchausen syndrome. They must rule out any possible physical and/or mental illnesses. They often will use a variety of diagnostic tests and procedures before considering a diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome. In addition, people with Munhausen syndrome tend to seek treatment at many different health care facilities and because of the dishonesty in representation, which makes it difficult to obtain accurate statistics.

When a diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome is made it is often difficult to get the patient to seek treatment. Persons with this syndrome are actively seeking treatment for the various disorders he or she invents and not for Munchausen syndrome. Therefore, the outlook for recovery is very poor.

If treatment is sought the first goal is to modify the person's behavior and reduce his or her misuse or overuse of medical resources. When this goal is met, treatment aims to work out any underlying psychological issues that might be causing the person's behavior or help them find solutions to housing or other social needs.

There are no medicines specifically for Munchausen syndrome. Psychotherapy (a type of counseling) will focus on changing the thinking and behavior of the individual. Medicine might be used to treat related disorders such as depression, anxiety or a personality disorder. Use of medicines must be carefully monitored. People with factitious disorders are at risk for using the drugs in a harmful way or may never even pick up the drugs prescribed at the pharmacy.

People with Munchausen syndrome are at risk for health problems and even death associated with hurting themselves or trying to cause symptoms. They are at high risk for substance abuse and suicide attempts.

It is possible that some people can experience one or two brief episodes of Munchausen syndrome. However, in most cases, the disorder is long-term. There is no known way to prevent the disorder. Prognosis might be better to begin treatment in people as soon as they begin to have symptoms.

A related condition to Munchausen syndrome is called Munchausen by proxy syndrome. This refers to a caregiver who fakes symptoms by causing injury to someone else, often a child for the sake of wanting to be with that person in a hospital or similar medical setting.

Sources: The Cleveland Clinic, Wikipedia

Disclaimer: This article is for information only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a physical or mental problem. All physical and mental problems should be addressed by a health care professional.

Author: Connie Limon. Visit our collection of Nutrition and Health Articles at http://nutritionandhealthhub.com All articles are offered as information, education and FREE reprint to your newsletter, website or blog.

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