Some people seem to be particularly unlucky with their health.
They constantly complain either of bouts of vomiting, or of unbearable pain in the head, or of dizziness and fainting. But their tests are perfect, and doctors cannot explain their symptoms. Perhaps this is a disease unknown to science. Or maybe Munchausen syndrome. We talk about him in the 80th issue of the guide to the psyche.
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What is Munchausen syndrome called?
In reality, a person may feel great. It is important that he pretends to be sick not for financial gain, but in order to receive attention and sympathy from others.
Munchausen syndrome belongs to the group of factitious disorders included in the International Classification of Diseases. And it is considered the most serious of them, since it completely subjugates a person’s life, seriously complicating his own life and the life of loved ones.
The disorder received its name in honor of a real person: the German officer Baron Karl Friedrich Hieronymus von Munchausen, who lived in the 18th century. He became famous for his incredible and apparently completely fictitious stories about his life, exploits and adventures.
Munchausen syndrome was first described in 1951 by British endocrinologist and hematologist Richard Escher. During his work at the hospital, he drew attention to a certain group of patients who regularly invented illnesses for themselves or caused their symptoms to occur.
How does Munchausen syndrome manifest?
People suffering from this disorder usually try to convince others that they are seriously ill in the following ways:
Many people suffering from this disorder can feign several diseases at once – and contact medical institutions about this. This becomes the main thing in their lives. If they are exposed in one of the hospitals, they immediately stop visiting it and find a new medical facility, usually in another area of the city or even in another locality.
Causes of Munchausen syndrome
It is a complex and poorly understood disorder, so its exact causes are unknown. The following factors are usually identifiedwhich can significantly influence the development of this disease.
Psychological trauma experienced in childhood. If a person did not receive enough attention from his parents in childhood and was abandoned by them, in adulthood he may continue to feel useless and deeply lonely. By imitating a serious illness, he drowns out these emotions, begins to feel important to others, and fulfills the need for care and attention from others.
A serious illness suffered in childhood or adolescence. People who underwent complex medical interventions in childhood or spent a long time in the hospital, according to some data, have a greater risk of developing Munchausen syndrome. This may be due to the fact that they associate the presence of an illness with care, a sense of security, and a lack of responsibility. By pretending to be unhealthy as adults, they try to regain this state.
Other mental disorder. People with narcissistic, borderline, and antisocial personality disorders also have an increased risk of developing Munchausen syndrome. Presumably because people with personality disorders often suffer from an unstable sense of their own identity and a lack of close relationships with others. The falsified illness allows them to define themselves, take a clear place in society and receive attention from others.
How is Munchausen syndrome diagnosed?
The diagnosis is usually made when the following factors are present:
What is delegated Munchausen syndrome?
Although the delegated form of Munchausen syndrome is very rare, it is much better known than the non-delegated form. Including thanks to numerous books and filmsin which the main characters suffer from this disorder.
Typically, delegated Munchausen syndrome occurs in women. In addition, delegated Munchausen syndrome can also develop in men – but such cases are less documented.
Because a person suffering from this disorder almost always causes physical and psychological harm to his victims – and sometimes causes them to die – delegated Munchausen syndrome is considered not only a medical condition, but also a form of violence.
Although the victims of a person with this disorder can also be adults – relatives, elderly parents, spouses – most often they are children.
To convince doctors and others of this, Dee Dee forced her daughter to move in a wheelchair, eat through a straw, endlessly visit doctors and undergo numerous medical procedures. If any of the hospital staff began to suspect Gypsy’s mother of lying, she would immediately stop taking her daughter to appointments. And she found a new medical facility for her.
Over time, Gypsy began to realize that she was, in fact, completely healthy. At the same time, according to her, the mother began to behave more and more aggressively. In 2015, Gypsy and her boyfriend stabbed Dee Dee to death.
- survivors of physical, sexualized, and psychological violence in childhood;
- who lost their parents early or experienced another serious tragedy.
Treatment of Munchausen syndrome
Despite the obsessive desire to get medical help, people with Munchausen syndrome They usually don’t admit that they have it. And they make no attempts to recover, refusing the help of a psychiatrist.
Despite this, doctors who suspect their patient has Munchausen syndrome are usually advised to gently suggest consultation with a mental health professional. For example, say that it might be useful to him. Another option is to directly ask the patient why he is lying about his symptoms. If he admits to lying, refer him to a psychiatrist.
If a person continues to insist that he is physically unwell and claims that he does not need psychiatric help, the doctor treating his fictitious illness should reduce their communication to a minimum.
There is no single protocol for the treatment of Munchausen syndrome. But there is considerable evidence that psychotherapy, particularly a combination of psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), helps many people with this disorder control their symptoms.
Psychoanalysis helps them understand the subconscious reasons for their behavior and understand their motivation. And CBT allows you to identify unrealistic and harmful beliefs and associated behavior patterns – and replace them with more realistic and useful ones.
If a person with common Munchausen syndrome has maintained relationships with their family, they may benefit from family therapy. She will help him understand how his disorder affects those close to him. This may increase his motivation to take control of his symptoms.
Loved ones of someone with Munchausen syndrome can learn through family therapy sessions how to change their behavior so as not to reinforce unhealthy behavior. For example, if he starts acting as if he is sick, they should try their best not to show him their concern or show concern. That is, not doing everything that a person with Munchausen syndrome wants to achieve from them.
There is no specific treatment for the delegated form of this disorder. In those rare cases, if the person suffering from it agrees to treatment, he is also referred to psychotherapy. He could also be charged with malicious mischief.
Victims of people with delegated Munchausen syndrome also require serious treatment in most cases. Including psychological ones, since they are often deeply traumatized.
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2024-01-18 13:12:06
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