Factitious disorder is a difficult disorder to identify and treat.
Factitious disorder is a serious mental disorder in which a person deceives others by pretending to be sick, making himself sick on purpose, or hurting himself. They exaggerate existing symptoms. Even when there is an actual medical or psychological condition, they may exaggerate symptoms to appear sicker or more upset than they really are. Factitious disorder is the intentional creation or exaggeration of symptoms, but without the intention of obtaining a specific benefit.
Several factors can increase the risk of factitious disorder, including: Childhood trauma, such as sexual abuse or emotional or physical abuse. A serious illness in childhood. Loss of a loved one due to death, illness or abandonment.
A doctor may suspect a fictitious disorder when: The person’s medical history doesn’t make sense.
Classification of Factitious Disorder:
- Factitious disorders with a predominance of psychological signs and symptoms.
- Factitious disorders with a predominance of physical signs and symptoms.
- Factitious disorders with psychological and physical signs and symptoms.
Symptoms of Factitious Disorder:
- The patient has extensive knowledge of medical terms and diseases
- Vague or contradictory symptoms
- Conditions that get worse for no apparent reason
- Conditions that do not respond to standard therapies as expected
- Seek care from many different doctors or hospitals.
- Reluctance to allow doctors to talk to family, friends, or other health professionals.
- Interest in undergoing frequent tests or risky operations
- Discussions with doctors and staff.
- They make up stories and harm themselves.
Treatment:
There are no effective treatments, however, cognitive-behavioral therapy may be beneficial for this type of patient.
Recommendations:
If you know of someone who may be exaggerating or faking health problems, it may help to try to have a friendly conversation about their concerns. You should avoid anger, value judgments, and confrontations.
It is a risky disorder because these people are willing to risk their lives to be considered sick.
