Munchausen Syndrome cases are quite complicated. They have a variety of manifestations and causes. The exact cause may never be known, but certain life conditions made it more likely. Treatment for the condition can be quite complicated and ineffective for a number of reasons.
The sufferer of this condition may either fake the supposed illness or even make themselves sick by some means. They may even persist through unnecessary surgery or procedures. Sometimes these people will make another person sick, such as a child or someone for whom they care. Sometimes they even carry this to the internet by pretending to have the same illness of someone online and befriending them.
The causes leading to this condition may never be fully determined, but certain indicators may be identified. Persons are more susceptible who have suffered some form of child abuse, whether it be sexual, physical, or emotional. So, too, are those who have either had a serious illness in early childhood or lived with someone else who has had one. The experience of a death in someone close to them in childhood is another indicator, as are certain mental illnesses.
Many times the person with this condition will be have been in a health related field, or at least had that desire. They may even attempt to "rescue" a person after first making them sick. They even sometimes receive an award for being a hero, when in fact they caused the condition from which they appeared to save the person.
There are indicators that a person is not really physically ill. One of these is a classic textbook list of symptoms that are resistant to attempted treatments. These people may even go so far as to undergo painfully intrusive tests and other procedures. If the medical history is either missing or insufficient, this may be another indication that the person suffers from the condition. Often, there is resistance to letting medical personnel speak with family members or others who know the medical history.
Not only does this condition cost thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands, in medical costs for unnecessary tests and treatments, it also can be quite dangerous. The person may really become sick, and possibly even die from complications of medicines, surgeries, and treatments that are not needed. It also burdens health care professionals who could spend their time on those who are really ill. In addition, the families of these persons suffer untold worry and often expense in caring for these people.
The treatment can be as complicated as are the manifestations. The fact that the condition is chronic and sufferers avoid a cure makes treatment difficult. Confrontation does not help. There needs to be a fine line between offering sympathetic attention and empathy to underlying situations that may have contributed to the condition. There should be a psychiatric approach to treatment.
There is not a very good prognosis for Munchausen Syndrome cases because of the difficulty in getting those persons to accept help. Suicide is a very real risk, estimated to occur in as many as 70% of the cases. Males usually have the worst outcomes. Since there is an avoidance of true medical treatment, the sufferers change doctors and hospitals frequently, repeating the same symptoms and treatment, but with no improvement.
The sufferer of this condition may either fake the supposed illness or even make themselves sick by some means. They may even persist through unnecessary surgery or procedures. Sometimes these people will make another person sick, such as a child or someone for whom they care. Sometimes they even carry this to the internet by pretending to have the same illness of someone online and befriending them.
The causes leading to this condition may never be fully determined, but certain indicators may be identified. Persons are more susceptible who have suffered some form of child abuse, whether it be sexual, physical, or emotional. So, too, are those who have either had a serious illness in early childhood or lived with someone else who has had one. The experience of a death in someone close to them in childhood is another indicator, as are certain mental illnesses.
Many times the person with this condition will be have been in a health related field, or at least had that desire. They may even attempt to "rescue" a person after first making them sick. They even sometimes receive an award for being a hero, when in fact they caused the condition from which they appeared to save the person.
There are indicators that a person is not really physically ill. One of these is a classic textbook list of symptoms that are resistant to attempted treatments. These people may even go so far as to undergo painfully intrusive tests and other procedures. If the medical history is either missing or insufficient, this may be another indication that the person suffers from the condition. Often, there is resistance to letting medical personnel speak with family members or others who know the medical history.
Not only does this condition cost thousands, sometimes hundreds of thousands, in medical costs for unnecessary tests and treatments, it also can be quite dangerous. The person may really become sick, and possibly even die from complications of medicines, surgeries, and treatments that are not needed. It also burdens health care professionals who could spend their time on those who are really ill. In addition, the families of these persons suffer untold worry and often expense in caring for these people.
The treatment can be as complicated as are the manifestations. The fact that the condition is chronic and sufferers avoid a cure makes treatment difficult. Confrontation does not help. There needs to be a fine line between offering sympathetic attention and empathy to underlying situations that may have contributed to the condition. There should be a psychiatric approach to treatment.
There is not a very good prognosis for Munchausen Syndrome cases because of the difficulty in getting those persons to accept help. Suicide is a very real risk, estimated to occur in as many as 70% of the cases. Males usually have the worst outcomes. Since there is an avoidance of true medical treatment, the sufferers change doctors and hospitals frequently, repeating the same symptoms and treatment, but with no improvement.
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