What is Munchausen syndrome and how to recognize it

With this syndrome, albeit indirectly, through other people's stories, faced, probably everyone.

Mother, who clutches his chest and calls an ambulance whenever her adult son tries to move out and start an independent life. The pensioner, who daily passes all medical clinics in the belief that he was sick a dozen illnesses at once, but doctors do not want to treat him. A young girl who refuses to go to work and sits on the neck of the parents, because her "everything hurts", and she can not stand the 8:00 in the office.

All of them are potential victims of mental disorders with the romantic name of Munchausen syndrome.

What is Munchausen Syndrome

Doctors call it a mental illness simulativeMunchausen Syndrome. That is one in which a person feigns the symptoms of a particular physical diseases: angina, allergies, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, or even cancer. And does it so well that he begins to believe that he was sick.

The name of the disease was named after Baron Munchausen - the famous liar whose imagination sounded so detailed and plausible (at least for him), that they were impossible to believe.

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A person suffering from Munchausen syndrome, not only lying about his health. He can cause self-harm or pain to his suffering seemed the most plausible. Or counterfeit tests, such as in urine samples by adding dirt and extraneous liquid.

If others are not carried out on the simulation and show confidence, "Munchausen" genuinely offended, it is scandalous and aggressive. It can endlessly change doctors in search of someone who finally put him to the desired diagnosis.

Munchausen syndrome can be confused with hypochondria. But there is an important difference between them. If hypochondria people worry about themselves, then the syndrome Munchausen main objective - the surrounding. Presentation held largely for them.

Where does Munchausen Syndrome

It is generally accepted todayMunchausen Syndrome three versions.

1. A result of lack of attention and care in childhood

And the critical shortage. This disorder often develops on the background once received severe trauma. For example, because of the violence experienced in childhood or blatant disregard for the child's needs.

Such a person has learned: to remain without attention, sympathy, pity, like death. Therefore feigns illness to even scratch so for themselves the necessary portion of the care and warmth.

Unfortunately, if you simply surround the "Munchausen" care, it does not help. This syndrome is already formed and sustained violation of the psyche.

Most often suffer from Munchausen syndromeMunchausen Syndrome women aged 20-40 and unmarried men aged 30-50 years.

2. Consequence of overprotection in childhood

There is some evidence that the development of Munchausen syndrome are more inclined to the people who suffered from a lot during childhood or adolescence.

As adults, they associate childhood memories with a sense of care and support. Therefore, trying to regain some sense of security by pretending to be ill.

3. A symptom of other mental disorders

This disease is closely associated with other personality disorders - alarming, Narcissistic, antisocial (sociopathy) - and speaks of general indisposition psyche.

How to recognize Munchausen Syndrome

Put this diagnosis - it is a rather difficult task. The reason for this simulation, falsehood and unsaid, which envelops its state patient.

However, some of the symptoms, allowing a high probability to assume Munchausen syndrome is still thereMunchausen Syndrome (Factitious Disorder):

1. The controversial history of the disease. There are complaints about the symptoms, but the inspection and tests do not confirm the presence of any physical ailments.
2. The man was caught on counterfeiting analyzes or attempts to get sick: for example, it was noted that he rubs the dirt in the wound. Or, say, taking medication that can cause the symptoms of a particular disease.
3. Symptoms often occur when not observing the patient. A person can talk about fainting or seizures, but they always "have occurred at night," or "yesterday."
4. The treatment does not lead to the results and makes suspect the patient simply does not comply with the prescribing physician.
5. The rich history of requests for assistance. The man walked ten doctors in different hospitals, but there did not help him.
6. Extensive medical knowledge: a man pours terms and quotes the description of the disease from medical textbooks.
7. The tendency to easily accept any operations and therapies.
8. The desire to get to the hospital treatment, "the hospital more comfortable than home."
9. The doctor sees potential problems with the psyche of the patient.

Already 1-2 symptoms enough to suspect Munchausen syndrome. And if they are 3 or more, then the diagnosis becomes almost obvious. However, each case requires individual approach and diagnostics.

How to help a person with Munchausen's syndrome

It is even more difficult than diagnosis. Most Munchausen syndrome victims refuse to acknowledge that they have a psychological problem. And, accordingly, does not wish to participate in its decision.

However, recognition of the problem - a necessary step. If it is not, the experts recommendMunchausen Syndrome absolutely all physicians who have observed "Munchausen", keep contact with him to a minimum. This is due to the fact that the relationship between the physician and the patient should be based on trust. If the doctor is not sure that the person performs his recommendations, he can not continue any sort were treated.

At this stage, the important role played by family members and friends of "Munchausen". Their task - to gently help a person understand their condition and agree that it should be corrected.

Further treatment of Munchausen syndrome is psychotherapy. Specialist with the help of various techniques will try to change the thinking and behavior of the patient to help him get rid of obsessive thoughts about illness and his own uselessness.