In polite society, never discuss religion, politics or Liam — Page 6

An interesting book on the what psychologists call "Factitious Disorder."

Patients with this disorder knowingly fake symptoms, but do so for psychological reasons not for monetary or other discrete objectives as in the case of Malingering.

They usually prefer the sick role and may move from hospital to hospital in order to receive care. They are usually loners with an early childhood background of trauma and deprivation.

They are unable to establish close interpersonal relationships and generally have severe personality disorders. Unlike many malingerers, they follow through with medical procedures and are at risk for drug addiction and for the complications of multiple operations

In the more severe form known as Münchhausen syndrome, a series of successive hospitalizations becomes a lifelong pattern. Factitious disorder is distinguished from malingering where there is external motivation for the symptom production, a patient with a factitious disorder intentionally produces physical symptoms without external incentives.

====

PLAYING SICK?: Untangling the Web of Munchausen Syndrome, Munchausen by Proxy, Malingering,and Factitious Disorder

Taken from cases from real patients, "Playing Sick?" addresses the impact of phony illnesses, factitious disorders, and Munchausen syndrome on patients and caregivers. Provides clues for helping practitioners and family members for recognizing these disorders, avoid invasive procedures, and sort out possible motives.

When a person fakes illness or injury to satisfy emotional needs, doctors and family members are lured into a costly, frustrating, and potentially deadly web of deceit.

Taken from bizarre cases of real patients, Playing Sick? is the first book to chronicle the devastating impact of phony illnesses--factitious disorders and Munchausen syndrome--on patients and caregivers alike.

Psychiatrist Marc Feldman describes patients' strange motivations, from malingerers who invent chronic back pain to avoid work to mothers who demand major abdominal surgery for their healthy children because they derive perverse pleasure from medical attention. Self-induced bleeding, fake fevers, and even a bogus asthma attack so convincing that doctors rush the patient to ICU are the stock in trade of patients with these disorders. Practitioners are deeply disturbed by these patients, angry about the time and resources they consume but nervous about confronting them with the truth.

Based on years of research and clinical practice, Playing Sick? provides the clues that can help practitioners and family members recognize these disorders, avoid invasive procedures, and sort out the motives that drive people to hurt themselves and deceive others. With insight and years of hands-on experience, Feldman shows how to get these emotionally ill patients the psychiatric help they need.
Playing Sick?: Untangling the Web of Munchausen Syndrome, Munchausen by Proxy, Malingering,and Factitious Disorder

---

EDIT: I'd like echo what Liam said below.

Updated On: 4/6/05 at 07:08 PM

Am I the only one or is DOUBT really springing to mind right now? I admit I haven't seen it, but I know the plot.

---

Updated On: 4/6/05 at 07:21 PM

Is the Playing Sick post supposed to be about Liam? I'm very familiar with Munchausen Syndrome as I lived with family member for 15 years who had it. Liam shows no signs of Munchausen at all. Not even close. People with Munchausen generally are pessimistic and negative, alienating those around them. Their "illnesses" are usually of a physical nature, not psychological and they thrive on medical attention. When they are told there is nothing wrong with them, they become highly agitated and will seek repeated medical attention until they get what they want. They are usually not happy unless they can find a reason to be miserable and receive sympathy. My grandmother would have been the prime subject for any book on Munchausen's Syndrome.

---

Updated On: 4/6/05 at 07:46 PM

Well, lordy, lordy, lordy, Mr. Mambo. I'm glad I made you laugh you a** off.

But don't THINK laughing at a posting makes amends for accusations of matricide. That requires a separate thread in which a public apology is made. And I don't think hell has frozen over enough for you to do that--even in Ohio.

---

yup.WOW how did you guess?

Munchausen Syndrome, Munchausen by Proxy, Malingering, and Factitious Disorder are all different conditions.

---

PalJoey I would appreciate it if you would spell out clearly why you think Liam is an impostor. You keep saying you think he is, but you are not offering anything better than circumstantial evidence. I don't get it.

Let's say he is faking this for purely hypothetical purposes. If you uncover him and you are right and all is right with the world.

Now let's take into account the more plausible explanation given all the evidence and witnesses present. He does have a disability and is at an age where "fitting in" is the thing that every kid longs for. I'm not saying Liam is unstable, but is it really a good idea to be trying to break him into admitting he is a fraud? If he is 14 years old then he probably already feels alienated enough by his classmates.

I am sorry, even if Liam were faking this which I do not believe, I am not willing to pull this crap on him when there is a chance there is a kid with a fragile ego. I have seen to many people in my classes growing up suffer other people's self-righteousness and bring those kids to do things no one would want to drive someone to. It's not worth it.

---

Outside of a clinical purpose I can't imagine what would motivate someone to ask if another has contemplated suicide.

Here's a question for you, munk, have you read the guidelines? Especially the top of the list?

Oh, and I agree, it's beyond you.

---

Liam provokes? Grow up, you so-called adults. If a teenager who can't spell is enough to get you in such a tizzy, you need to get your priorities in order.

PalJoey, your Inspector Javert act got old about 5 minutes after you unveiled it. Spare us.

Liam and let Liam!