What is an example of a factitious disorder?

An example of a psychological factitious disorder is mimicking behavior that is typical of a mental illness, such as schizophrenia. The person may appear confused, make absurd statements, and report hallucinations (the experience of sensing things that are not there; for example, hearing voices).

What is a factitious illness?

Overview. Factitious disorder is a serious mental disorder in which someone deceives others by appearing sick, by purposely getting sick or by self-injury. Factitious disorder also can happen when family members or caregivers falsely present others, such as children, as being ill, injured or impaired.

What are the two types of factitious disorders?

Factitious disorder with both psychological and physical symptoms: People with this disorder produce symptoms of both physical and mental illness. Factitious disorder not otherwise specified: This type includes a disorder called factitious disorder by proxy (also called Munchausen syndrome by proxy).

How do you diagnose factitious disorder?

Diagnosis is based on objectively identifying symptoms that are made up, rather than the person’s intent or motivation for doing so. A doctor may suspect factitious disorder when: The person’s medical history doesn’t make sense. No believable reason exists for an illness or injury.

What is meaning of factitious?

factitious • \fak-TISH-us\ • adjective. 1 : produced by humans rather than by natural forces 2 a : formed by or adapted to an artificial or conventional standard b : produced by special effort : sham.

What is the difference between malingering vs factitious?

Malingerers engage in many of the same activities as people with factitious disorder. They exaggerate or make up symptoms of an illness, either physical or psychiatric. Whereas factitious disorder is a mental health condition with no clear cause, malingerers do it for personal gain.

Is factitious disorder a somatic symptom disorder?

Factitious disorder is classified under the Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders section of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5)[1]. Other diagnoses under this section include somatic symptom disorder, conversion disorder, and illness anxiety disorder.

What is factitious fever?

Fever produced artificially by a patient. This is done by artificially heating the thermometer or by self-administered pyrogenic substances.