Treatment for munchausen syndrome is one of the most challenging tasks for medical practitioners. The main reason as to why this is the case is because making the diagnosis is quite challenging in itself. The condition is classified among the factitious disorders and represents the most severe form of the spectrum. The affected persons have a tendency to inflict injuries on themselves and to pretend to be sick. The medical interventions that are undertaken are aimed at preventing serious injuries.
Even as you try and look for the treatment for the condition, you need to clearly understand it. The most striking symptom is that patients make up factitious symptoms, they may rig lab results and insist on undergoing dangerous medical procedures. These are all aimed at getting sympathy or concern from other people. At times, there is some financial gain in the offing. Due to the constant manipulation by the patients, healthcare providers often end up being very frustrated.
Whenever this condition is suspected, the patient should be referred to a psychiatrist immediately. The role of the psychiatrist is to confirm the diagnosis and to identify the most effective method of management. The management mainly involves prevention of further self-inflicted injuries, avoidance of unnecessary medical procedures and aversion of any situations that are likely to lead to confrontation with the patient. The management team will need to adopt flexible and creative methods of treatment because of the uniqueness of the case.
As a result of the difficulty that is encountered in making a diagnosis, the prognosis of both the affected individual and the healthcare provider is often poor. It can be greatly improved by making sure that the care provided is specialised and consistent. On many occasions, there is need to use medical records and to talk to close relatives and friends. Direct accusations may result into anger and defensive behaviours and should therefore be avoided.
There are a number of risk factors that have been identified as predisposing to the syndrome. One of these risks us childhood trauma. This trauma may be either physical or emotional. Some illnesses suffered in childhood that resulted in sympathy and care may make the affected individual very vulnerable. Other risk factors include loss of a loved one, poor sense of self-esteem and personality disorders among others.
Failure to institute management in time may lead to a number of complications. A number of injuries are potentially fatal and these should be prevented as much as possible. The many medical procedures that are done and the drugs taken frequently lead to reactions that are likely to cause a deterioration of the health status. Over time, these patients are likely to turn to drug abuse and may even contemplate committing suicide.
The statistics related to the condition are very obscure. The number of people affected is said to be very small however. The main reason as to why these statistics are not available is because of the difficulty in making this diagnosis. The patients will also visit many centres which leads to scattered information. The condition is said to be twice as common in men as it is in females. It is commoner in older patients than young ones.
Treatment for munchausen syndrome is possible if there is close coordination among different disciplines. Psychiatrists need to work very closely with psychiatrists and other counsellors. The role of strong family support cannot be overemphasized. The focus should be on identifying the underlying cause.
Even as you try and look for the treatment for the condition, you need to clearly understand it. The most striking symptom is that patients make up factitious symptoms, they may rig lab results and insist on undergoing dangerous medical procedures. These are all aimed at getting sympathy or concern from other people. At times, there is some financial gain in the offing. Due to the constant manipulation by the patients, healthcare providers often end up being very frustrated.
Whenever this condition is suspected, the patient should be referred to a psychiatrist immediately. The role of the psychiatrist is to confirm the diagnosis and to identify the most effective method of management. The management mainly involves prevention of further self-inflicted injuries, avoidance of unnecessary medical procedures and aversion of any situations that are likely to lead to confrontation with the patient. The management team will need to adopt flexible and creative methods of treatment because of the uniqueness of the case.
As a result of the difficulty that is encountered in making a diagnosis, the prognosis of both the affected individual and the healthcare provider is often poor. It can be greatly improved by making sure that the care provided is specialised and consistent. On many occasions, there is need to use medical records and to talk to close relatives and friends. Direct accusations may result into anger and defensive behaviours and should therefore be avoided.
There are a number of risk factors that have been identified as predisposing to the syndrome. One of these risks us childhood trauma. This trauma may be either physical or emotional. Some illnesses suffered in childhood that resulted in sympathy and care may make the affected individual very vulnerable. Other risk factors include loss of a loved one, poor sense of self-esteem and personality disorders among others.
Failure to institute management in time may lead to a number of complications. A number of injuries are potentially fatal and these should be prevented as much as possible. The many medical procedures that are done and the drugs taken frequently lead to reactions that are likely to cause a deterioration of the health status. Over time, these patients are likely to turn to drug abuse and may even contemplate committing suicide.
The statistics related to the condition are very obscure. The number of people affected is said to be very small however. The main reason as to why these statistics are not available is because of the difficulty in making this diagnosis. The patients will also visit many centres which leads to scattered information. The condition is said to be twice as common in men as it is in females. It is commoner in older patients than young ones.
Treatment for munchausen syndrome is possible if there is close coordination among different disciplines. Psychiatrists need to work very closely with psychiatrists and other counsellors. The role of strong family support cannot be overemphasized. The focus should be on identifying the underlying cause.
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