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Factitious Disorder

APSARA KATUWAL DANGOL

Factitious disorder

Factitious disorder, a mental disorder deals with deceiving others by predicting that one has sickness though there is not any sickness. These type of person tries to show fake injury so that other can show care towards themselves. They are mentally ill but they are unknown about the behavior. This type of disorder is very serious as it can lead to emotional difficulties. They can also suffer from other mental disorder like a personality disorder.

Types of Factitious Disorder

They are mainly of four types which are as follows:
1. Factitious disorder mostly with psychological symptoms( Ganser syndrome)
  • appear confused 
  • make absurd statements 
  • report hallucination 
  • the experience of sensing things that are not there 
  • hearing voices 
2. Factitious disorder mostly with physical symptoms(referred to as Munchausen syndrome)
  • chest pain 
  • stomach problems, 
  • fever 
3. Factitious disorder with psychological and physical symptoms.
    It includes symptoms of both physical and psychological symptoms.


4. Factitious disorder not otherwise specified
    It includes harming behavior to get attention.
Causes
The real cause of this disorder is unknown but in chronic factitious disorder, brain abnormalities are known and it can be genetic too. This kind of person wants to be part of the center and seeks attention must of the time.

Symptoms
  • Dramatic but inconsistent medical history,
  • Unclear symptoms that are not controllable and that become more severe or change once treatment has begun,
  • Predictable relapses following improvement in the condition, 
  • Extensive knowledge of hospitals and/or medical terminology, as well as the textbook descriptions of illness,
  • Presence of many surgical scars,
  • The 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.
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Diagnosis
After the physical examination by a doctor, if no physical problem is there, the patient is referred to mental health professional usually a psychiatrist. Still, there can be dishonesty during diagnosis due to the patient. A structured interview and assessments tools are used to assess whether the patient has the factitious disorder are present or not. Then important actions are taken.

Treatment
Treatment is only possible if the patient wants to help him or herself. Psychotherapy or talking therapy can help a lot to enhance the treatment procedure and positive results can be seen.
Cognitive Behavior therapy can be helpful for changing both thinking and behavior. And Family therapy can help the family to understand the case of patient and how to behave to the patient.
Medication is usually not used but if a patient has depression or anxiety then antidepressants can be taken if psychiatrist prescribes for it.

About Writer

Apsara Katuwal Dangol, is writer, educator, and psychosocial counselor. She writes articles which covers topics related to general and developmental psychology. She teaches to MA Clinical Psychology students as Developmental Psychology Mentor at Tri-Chandra College, and General Psychology at Shubhashree College of Management.



References
Disease and Conditions Factitious Disorder
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/factitious-disorder/basics/definition/con-20031319

Factitious Disorder
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/factitious-disorders#2-3

Mental Health: Factitious Disorder
http://www.medicinenet.com/factitious_disorders/page2.htm

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