Munchausen syndrome is a psychological disorder where patients act sick when they are not actually ill in order to get sympathy and attention. They will exaggerate or fabricate symptoms and even harm themselves to prolong medical tests and hospital visits. It is a costly disorder both medically and financially. Without treatment, patients with Munchausen syndrome risk serious harm to themselves or others under their care from induced illnesses or medical interventions.

1. Munchausen Syndromes

2. Munchausen and Munchausen by proxy syndromes are psychological disorders that are medically and financially costly. They
can be lethal to the patient or others in their care.
What is Munchausen Syndrome?
Munchausen syndrome is a “facetious” psychological disorder named after an 18th century officer who was known for telling
exaggerated tales. Patients with Munchausen syndrome will act sick, even when they are not ill, they will create or embellish
symptoms, and they can harm themselves and alter tests.1 The patients perform these actions to get sympathy and attention.
The disorder is a mental illness, known as “thick chart syndrome”, “hospital hopper syndrome”, and “hospital addiction syndrome”.

3. Treatments Available
Once it has been determined that the patient does not have an undetected disease, doctors will need to look at the medical,
social, and psychological history of the patient. If the patient is a danger to themselves or others, psychiatric hospitalization would
be warranted. Without treatment, millions of dollars can be spent on tests, treatments, and hospitalizations. Patients can become
seriously ill (or trigger illness in their child) by using blood thinners, laxatives, or bacterial injections. Read more.