Appearance of new or additional symptoms following negative test results
Presence of symptoms only when the patient is with others or being observed
Willingness or eagerness to have medical tests, operations or other procedures
History of seeking treatment at many hospitals, clinics and doctors offices, possibly even in different cities
Reluctance by the patient to allow health care professionals to meet with or talk to family members, friends and prior doctors
What Causes Factitious Disorders?
The exact cause of factitious disorders is not known, but researchers are
looking at the roles of biological and psychological factors in the development
of these disorders. Some theories suggest that a history of abuse or neglect as
a child, or a history of frequent illnesses that required hospitalization might
be factors in the development of the disorder.
How Common Are Factitious Disorders?
There are no reliable statistics regarding the number of people in the U.S.
who suffer from factitious disorders. Obtaining accurate statistics is
difficult because dishonesty is common with this condition. In addition, people
with factitious disorders tend to seek treatment at many different healthcare
facilities, which can lead to statistics that are misleading.
In general, factitious disorders are more common in men than in women.
However, factitious disorder by
proxy tends to be more common in women than in men.
How Are Factitious Disorders Diagnosed?
Diagnosing factitious disorders is very difficult because of the dishonesty
that is involved. Doctors must rule out other possible physical and mental
illnesses before a diagnosis of factitious disorder can be considered.
If the doctor finds no physical reason for the symptoms, he or she may refer
the person to a psychiatrist or psychologist, mental health professionals who
are specially trained to diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Psychiatrists and
psychologists use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate
a person for a factitious disorder. The doctor bases his or her diagnosis on
the exclusion of actual physical or mental illness, and his or her observation
of the person's attitude and behavior.
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
Schizophrenia is a disabling brain disorder that may cause hallucinations and delusions and affect a person's ability to communicate and pay attention. Symptoms of psychosis appear in men in their late teens and early 20s and in women in their mid-20s to early 30s. With treatment involving the use of antipsychotic medications and psychosocial treatment, schizophrenia patients can lead rewarding and meaningful lives.
Suicide is the process of intentionally ending one's own life. Approximately 1 million people worldwide commit suicide each year, and 10 million to 20 million attempt suicide annually.
Drug addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make the right decisions and increase the urge to take drugs. Drug abuse and addiction are preventable.
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental illness that features schizophrenia and a mood disorder, either major depression or bipolar disorder. Symptoms include agitation, suicidal thoughts, little need for sleep, delusions, hallucinations, and poor motivation. Treatment may involve psychotherapy, medication, skills training, or hospitalization.
Childhood depression can interfere with social activities, interests, schoolwork and family life. Symptoms and signs include anger, social withdrawal, vocal outbursts, fatigue, physical complaints, and thoughts of suicide. Treatment may involve psychotherapy and medication.
Mental illness is any disease or condition affecting the brain that influence the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and/or relates to others. Mental illness is caused by heredity, biology, psychological trauma and environmental stressors.
About 5 million children and adolescents in the U.S. suffer from a serious mental illness such as eating disorders, anxiety disorders, disruptive behavior disorders, pervasive development disorders, elimination disorders, learning disorders, schizophrenia, tic disorders, and mood disorders. Symptoms of mental illness include frequent outbursts of anger, hyperactivity, fear of gaining weight, excessive worrying, frequent temper tantrums, and hearing voices that aren't there. Treatment may involve medication, psychotherapy, and creative therapies.
Depression in the elderly is very common. That doesn't mean, though, it's normal. Treatment may involve antidepressants, psychotherapy, or electroconvulsive therapy.
Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSBP) is a mental illness (factitious disorder) in which a caregiver secretly abuses a child by faking symptoms in the child. Symptoms present in the child include suffocation, bleeding, poisoning, and induced seizures. Treatment involves maintaining the safety of the child and typically incorporates psychotherapy and psychiatric medications for both the perpetrator and victim.
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