Factitious Disorder (also known as Munchausen Syndrome – named after Baron von Munchausen, an 18th-century German officer known for embellishing the stories of his life) involves the falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms with no obvious reward. Factitious disorder is different from hypochondriasis (an obsolete DSM-IV diagnosis) and somatic symptom disorder (now the DSM-5 diagnosis) in that patients are aware that they are exaggerating, whereas sufferers of hypochondriasis actually believe they have a disease.
Falsification (i.e. - deliberately feigning) of physical or psychological signs or symptoms, or induction of injury or disease, associated with identified deception.
The individual presents himself or herself to others as ill, impaired, or injured.
The deceptive behaviour is evident even in the absence of obvious external rewards.
The behaviour is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as delusional disorder or another psychotic disorder.
Previously called Factitious Disorder by Proxy, or Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.
Falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms, or induction of injury or disease, in another, associated with identified deception.
The individual presents another individual (victim) to others as ill, impaired, or injured.
The deceptive behaviour is evident even in the absence of obvious external rewards.
The behaviour is not better explained by another mental disorder, such as delusional disorder or another psychotic disorder.
Specify if:
2
or more events of falsification of illness and/or induction of injury)