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Factitious disorder

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Factitious disorders are the intentional production or feigning of physical and psychological symptoms. In contrast to malingering, there is no apparent secondary gain such as avoidance of duties.

Factitious disorders may involve:

  • self harm e.g. dermatitis artefacta
  • self neglect e.g. failure to control diabetes mellitus
  • fabrication of symptoms e.g. recurrent "fever"

Two specific syndromes are recognised:

  • Munchausen syndrome
  • Munchausen syndrome by proxy

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