AKA: hospital addiction syndrome / hospital hopper syndrome
CLASSIFICATION
Münchausen Syndrome is a psychological disorder that is currently classified under factitious disorders, disorders in which the people afflcited with this type of disorder pretend to be extremely ill or have intense psychological trauma in order to gain attention and sympathy from others. 1 It is now disputed whether Münchausen and other similar disorders should be classified under somatoform disorder, because it is unknown whether the afflicted are doing it on purpose or are seriously disturbed beyond their own control.
Münchausen's is considered the most severe of all the factitious disorders, as affecting the disease becomes the central point of the patient's life. 2
DEFINITION
In Münchausen Syndrome, the afflicted pretends to have or exaggerates the conditions of a certain injury or illness in order to gain treatment, attention, and sympathy from others. They may also do this to avoid bill collectors. In any case, the patient revels in the attention he/she receives as a patient in the hospital (hence the nickname "hospital addiction syndrome") and usually does anything to prolong hospital stay. 3 In some seriously extreme and freaky cases, the patient may have intense and vast knowledge of medicine and therefore be able to actually produce certain symptoms, i.e. infecting oneself in order to undergo operation. 4
Münchausen Syndrome by Proxy is the exact same case, only a parent or guardian does this to a child (basically, saying that their child is extremely ill and forcing the child to and from the hospital).
Though the Münchausen Syndrome sounds very similar to the disorder hypochondriasis, but they should not be confused. Those afflicted with hypochondriasis truly believe they have a disease, while those afflicted with Münchausen's are aware of the fact that they are faking. 5
Statistics regarding Münchausen's can be misleading and inaccurate, as those afflicted with it tend to seek treatment at various different hospital facilities at varying degrees of severeness. Also, those who are afflicted tend to not be open and honest about their condition, thus making research on the disorder extremely difficult. However, it is concluded that (at least in the United States) it is a fairly rare disorder, and also that although it can affect children, young adults are the most susceptible to the disorder. Gender does not seem to play a major role. 5
SYMPTOMS
The funny (in a sad way) thing about Münchausen Syndrome is that its symptoms include (feigned) symptoms of all sorts to all degrees from any given disease. There are, however, a few tell-tale signs that may reveal a patient of Münchausen's: 6 and 7
CAUSES
The causes for Munchausen Syndrome are unknown, but it is greatly agreed upon that Munchausen's is caused by extremely low self-esteem/problems with self-identity. Abuse and lack of attention can lead to this disorder, as well as spending lots of time in the hospital as a young child and acquiring a taste for medical attention there. Most scientists say that there are also biological factors involved (family history of this disorder may increase chances of a patient having it). It's also highly possible that Munchausenis linked with other personality disorders. 6
TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES
Treatment is extremely difficult for Munchausen's and chances for recovery are extremely slim due to the uncooperative nature of patients with Munchausen's. Ironically, although patients of Munchausen abuse and/or overuse medicine and medical aid, there is no medicine for Munchausen's itself. The main form of treatment is psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most common form of therapy for Munchausens. 5 and 7
Although there are no direct drugs for the disorder, drugs can be administered to treat related psychological disorders, such as anxiety disorder and depression. 7
Münchausen Syndrome is a psychological disorder that is currently classified under factitious disorders, disorders in which the people afflcited with this type of disorder pretend to be extremely ill or have intense psychological trauma in order to gain attention and sympathy from others. 1 It is now disputed whether Münchausen and other similar disorders should be classified under somatoform disorder, because it is unknown whether the afflicted are doing it on purpose or are seriously disturbed beyond their own control.
Münchausen's is considered the most severe of all the factitious disorders, as affecting the disease becomes the central point of the patient's life. 2
DEFINITION
In Münchausen Syndrome, the afflicted pretends to have or exaggerates the conditions of a certain injury or illness in order to gain treatment, attention, and sympathy from others. They may also do this to avoid bill collectors. In any case, the patient revels in the attention he/she receives as a patient in the hospital (hence the nickname "hospital addiction syndrome") and usually does anything to prolong hospital stay. 3 In some seriously extreme and freaky cases, the patient may have intense and vast knowledge of medicine and therefore be able to actually produce certain symptoms, i.e. infecting oneself in order to undergo operation. 4
Münchausen Syndrome by Proxy is the exact same case, only a parent or guardian does this to a child (basically, saying that their child is extremely ill and forcing the child to and from the hospital).
Though the Münchausen Syndrome sounds very similar to the disorder hypochondriasis, but they should not be confused. Those afflicted with hypochondriasis truly believe they have a disease, while those afflicted with Münchausen's are aware of the fact that they are faking. 5
Statistics regarding Münchausen's can be misleading and inaccurate, as those afflicted with it tend to seek treatment at various different hospital facilities at varying degrees of severeness. Also, those who are afflicted tend to not be open and honest about their condition, thus making research on the disorder extremely difficult. However, it is concluded that (at least in the United States) it is a fairly rare disorder, and also that although it can affect children, young adults are the most susceptible to the disorder. Gender does not seem to play a major role. 5
SYMPTOMS
The funny (in a sad way) thing about Münchausen Syndrome is that its symptoms include (feigned) symptoms of all sorts to all degrees from any given disease. There are, however, a few tell-tale signs that may reveal a patient of Münchausen's: 6 and 7
- An extremely dramatic medical history that seems inconsistent or seems blank in certain areas
- Unclear symptoms that do not seem to have a clear origin
- Symptoms seem uncontrollable and change (or worsen) as soon as treatment begins
- Symptoms seem to fit the illness too perfectly or don't seem to fit them at all
- Predictable pattern of recovery and illness
- In depth and intense knowledge of medical terms and conditions - i.e. dictionary definitions
- Presence of multiple surgery scars
- Symptoms only appear when the patient is alone or not being observed
- Eagerness to undergo medical treatment and surgeries
- History of "hopping" around numerous hospitals for various reasons
- Reluctance to let current hospital aids contact previous medical institutions, friends, and family
- Problems with self-esteem
CAUSES
The causes for Munchausen Syndrome are unknown, but it is greatly agreed upon that Munchausen's is caused by extremely low self-esteem/problems with self-identity. Abuse and lack of attention can lead to this disorder, as well as spending lots of time in the hospital as a young child and acquiring a taste for medical attention there. Most scientists say that there are also biological factors involved (family history of this disorder may increase chances of a patient having it). It's also highly possible that Munchausenis linked with other personality disorders. 6
TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES
Treatment is extremely difficult for Munchausen's and chances for recovery are extremely slim due to the uncooperative nature of patients with Munchausen's. Ironically, although patients of Munchausen abuse and/or overuse medicine and medical aid, there is no medicine for Munchausen's itself. The main form of treatment is psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most common form of therapy for Munchausens. 5 and 7
Although there are no direct drugs for the disorder, drugs can be administered to treat related psychological disorders, such as anxiety disorder and depression. 7
MH is a man in his late 20s who was presented to the psychiatric ward in a drunk and distressed state.
These are the things that he claimed:
- He lost a wife to a horrible car crash
- His wife was 7 months pregnant (he went into extremely graphic detail about the trauma of identifying her body in the crash)
- He had 14 siblings, 3 of whom died of "a motorbike accident", "leukemia", and "cancer of the throat" when he was young
- He claimed to have extremely suicidal thoughts, i.e. jumping in front of a bus
- He claimed to have suffered through various psychological disorders, such as anorexia
Although MH underwent therapy for Munchausen's and depression afterwards, it is not known whether he successfully returned to functioning in normal life. 8
RELATED DISORDERS
Factitious disorders
Munchausen by proxy
Ganser Syndrome
Hypochondriasis
RELATED LINKS
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/factitious_disorders/hic_munchausen_syndrome_by_proxy.aspx
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/mar/10/mom-who-admitted-she-laced-tots-juice-with-drain/
http://www.msbp.com/
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Munchausens-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Factitious_Disorders/hic_An_Overview_of_Factitious_Disorders.aspx
http://www.minddisorders.com/Del-Fi/Factitious-disorder.html
http://www.minddisorders.com/Kau-Nu/Malingering.html
http://www.medicinenet.com/factitious_disorders/article.htm
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/disorders/162.html
http://www.uptodate.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey=~KCA4oSkmp_xPNU
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