Factitious disorder is a severe mental condition in which an individual presents with physical or mental symptoms of sickness. Individuals suffering from factitious conditions intentionally inflict symptoms of a disease to obtain medical attention and treatment. Experts think the primary psychological benefit of the symptoms is what patients mean to achieve, rather than any practical benefits.
One classifies factitious disorder as a mental illness. Factitious disorder links to significant mental health issues and risks patients hurting themselves by fabricating additional symptoms and seeking unnecessary medical treatments and surgeries. Furthermore, factitious disorder is associated with considerable mental health problems. In addition, patients with factitious disorder may self-harm by producing more symptoms and pursuing unneeded medical care and operations. Therefore, factitious disorder represents a serious psychiatric condition that requires compassionate treatment.
Symptoms
Symptoms of factitious disorders include pretending to be unwell or injured, or fabricating symptoms or impairments in order to trick other people. It may be challenging to recognize if a person suffering from the condition is exhibiting indications of a major mental health issue since they will go to considerable measures to conceal their deceit. Even in the absence of any obvious gain or reward or in the face of impartial data that refutes their statements, they persist in their deceit.
The additional signs and symptoms:
- Presenting clever and convincing fabricated medical or psychological problems
- Possessing extensive knowledge of medical terminology and conditions
- Reporting symptoms that are vague or inconsistent
- Conditions that worsen for no clear reason
- Conditions that do not respond as expected to standard treatments
- Seeking care from numerous doctors or hospitals, possibly using an alias
- Being reluctant to allow providers to communicate with family, friends or other professionals
- Frequently staying in the hospital
- Eagerness to undergo frequent testing or high-risk operations
- Presence of multiple surgical scars or evidence of numerous procedures
- Having few or no visitors when hospitalized
- Arguing with medical staff and providers
What are the warning signs of factitious disorder?
– They may have a convoluted and changeable medical history full of dramatic claims that don’t quite add up.
– Their symptoms might be vague, worsening for no clear reason, or oddly resistant to treatment.
– They could make impressive recoveries only to relapse again unpredictably.
– The person may possess extensive medical knowledge or use textbook terminology to describe their alleged illness.
– Numerous surgical scars could point to unnecessary procedures obtained under false pretenses.
– New symptoms may appear after tests come back negative.
– Symptoms may only occur when no one else is observing the person.
– Eagerness to undergo tests, operations, and other procedures could be a warning sign.
– A history of seeking treatment from various doctors and hospitals, potentially in different cities, could indicate factitious disorder.
– Reluctance to allow healthcare providers to communicate with family, friends, or previous doctors is a possible red flag.
– Refusing psychological evaluation may signal a deceptive disorder.
– Predicting negative outcomes without basis is suspicious.
– Sudden worsening or interference with discharge plans also warrants concern.
Factious disorder inflicted on another
When someone falsely asserts that another person exhibits physical or psychological symptoms of sickness, or intentionally inflicts harm or disease on another person with the objective of misleading others, this is known as factitious disorder imposed on another (formerly known as Munchausen syndrome via proxy).
Individuals who suffer from this disease portray others as ill, injured, or experiencing difficulties in their daily lives, and they insist that they require medical care. Usually, a parent injures a child in this situation. A youngster who experiences this kind of mistreatment may suffer serious injury or require unnecessary medical attention.
How is factitious disorder diagnosed?
Factitious disorder can be challenging to diagnose due to the deceptive nature of the condition. Doctors first need to rule out any possible physical or mental illnesses by conducting various medical tests and examinations.
If they find no physical explanation for the symptoms, doctors may refer patients to psychiatrists or psychologists for further evaluation. These mental health professionals use detailed history taking, physical exams, lab tests, imaging studies and psychological assessments to check for medical and mental health disorders.
To diagnose factitious disorder, doctors rule out real physical or mental illness and observe the individual’s attitudes and behaviors. It relies on the exclusion of actual medical or psychological conditions while noting the suspicious actions of the patient.
Reasons
It is uncertain what causes factitious disorder. However, a mix of psychological issues and traumatic life events might be the root cause of the condition.
Risk elements
The following are some elements that may make factitious disorder more likely to develop:
- Trauma during childhood, including mental, physical, or sexual abuse
- a severe disease whilst still a child
- the passing away, illness, or abandonment of a loved one
- Previous experiences during a period of illness and the notice it received
- a low feeling of self-worth or identity
- diseases of the personality
- Depressive States
- Want to get connected to medical professionals or facilities
- Employment in the medical industry
- Although factitious disorder is thought to be uncommon, its actual prevalence is unknown. It can be challenging to obtain a trustworthy estimate because some people visit numerous hospitals and doctors under false pretenses, other persons use false names to avoid detection, and some people are never identified.
Get Help for Factitious Disorder
If you or someone you care about may be suffering from factitious disorder, contact Kazmo Brain Center. We have extensive experience diagnosing and compassionately treating this serious mental illness.
Furthermore, our team provides a judgement-free environment to listen and understand what you’re experiencing. Additionally, we uncover the root causes of the deceptive behaviors and provide effective therapy to help you find healthier coping strategies.
With treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy and medication when needed, many people with factitious disorder can come to understand their actions and improve their lives.
Therefore, you don’t have to suffer in silence. The compassionate experts at Kazmo Brain Center are here to help. Consequently, reach out today to learn more about our confidential factitious disorder program.
