Factitious Disorder

Unless otherwise indicated, the

answers are from DSM-IV-TR or First
and Tasman.
As of 1Sep08.
Factitious Disorder
DSM-IV criteria
Q. List the three core criteria of factitious
disorder.
Criteria
Ans.:
1. Intentional production of signs or
symptoms of illnesses.
2. External incentives for the behavior
[money, avoiding legal responsibility, and
so forth] are absent.
3. The motivation is to assume the sick role
[almost always hospital sick role].
Types
Q. What are the three types?
Types
Ans.
1. With predominately psychological
signs/symptoms.
2. With predominately physical
signs/symptoms
3. With combined psychological and
physical signs/symptoms
Another name
Q. What is another name of the With
Predominately Physical Signs/symptoms?
Another name
Ans. Munchausens syndrome.
Gender aspects
Q. Which gender predominates? Which
gender has the more severe cases?
Gender aspects
Ans. More common in females, and more
severe in men.
Prevalence
Q. What can we say about the prevalence?
Prevalence
Ans. Uncommon in most settings, but about
1% of hospital C&L consultations.
Common associated disorder
Q. Most common other DSM-IV disorder?
Common associated disorder
Ans. Borderline




[need reference]
Factitious Disorder
by Proxy
Q. What is factitious disorder by proxy?
Factitious disorder by proxy
Ans. A factitious disorder in which the
intentional production of
psychological/physical signs/symptoms in
another person [usually mother producng
for her child].

Treatment
Q. What is the established treatment?
Treatment
Ans. No established treatment. Important to
avoid countertransference reactions. Look
for other disorders to treat, such as
borderline. [Note the irony of wanting the
sick role, but not the factitious sick role.]