Munchausen Syndrome

[Jones]

In Munchausen syndrome, the affected person exaggerates or creates symptoms of illnesses in themselves in order to gain investigation, treatment, attention, sympathy, and comfort from medical personnel. In some extremes, people suffering from Munchausen's Syndrome are highly knowledgeable about the practice of medicine, and are able to produce symptoms that result in multiple unnecessary operations. For example, they may inject a vein with infected material, causing widespread infection of unknown origin, and as a result cause lengthy and costly medical analyses and prolonged hospital stay. The role of "patient" is a familiar and comforting one, and it fills a psychological need in people with Munchausen's. It is distinct from hypochondria in that patients with Munchausen syndrome are aware that they are exaggerating, while sufferers of hypochondria actually believe they have a disease.

I've always been amazed by this and it's truly convinient to be on this forum when I wonder about these things.

How do doctors treat Munchausens?

How would they know if someone with Munchausen's syndrome is actually sick?

[MichaelXY]

Look here
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/munchaus ... ge5_em.htm
or
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/muncha ... me/DS00965

[mith]

there was a House MD episode on this.

[Jones]

I love House but I've never seen an episode about this.

Thanks Michael.