What is Munchhausen Munchhausen syndrome is a serious mental illness that carries with it a keen need for attention, as well as a simulation of the disease in order to receive this attention. People who suffer from this disease can harm themselves in order to mimic symptoms, agree to complex operations, forge analyzes, lie to doctors and close people, all for the sake of compassion and attention.


This disease can be simulated in order to obtain practical benefits, for example, obtaining a hospital or insurance, to win in court. Munchausen's syndrome should not be confused with hypochondria. People who have hypochondriasis actually believe that they are sick, and those with Munchausen's syndrome understand that they are not sick, but they are trying to get sick or are doing their best to be believed by others.

Munchhausen syndrome is a very serious disease, which is poorly understood and difficult to cure. But if you take adequate medical care, you can prevent serious damage to health, which the patients themselves cause in an attempt to simulate the disease.

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Causes and risk of

The exact cause of the disease can not be named. Munchhausen's disease may consist of a patient's personal experience, which in childhood could suffer from a serious illness, attracting attention. Perhaps, the patient had someone of close people seriously ill and he did not have enough attention. There is an assumption that people suffering from this disease, could in the childhood suffer violence or psychological trauma.

Factors that increase the risk of Munchhausen syndrome:

  • Migrated childhood trauma
  • Sexual abuse in the past
  • Severe illness transferred in childhood
  • Death of a loved one from
  • disease Low self-esteem
  • Unfulfilled desire to become a doctor
  • Personality disorders

SyndromeMunchhausen is a rare disease, most often it affects men of young and middle age. There are people who use other people's names, in case of failure, it helps them avoid publicity. Some patients constantly visit different specialists and different clinics in order to get attention from everyone, also it helps them to remain unclassified. There are people who so professionally simulate the disease that they seek hospitalization and unnecessary operations.

Symptoms of Munchhausen syndrome

All the symptoms of this disease are associated with the simulation and causing yourself injuries or illnesses in order to get to the hospital and attract the necessary attention from the doctors. Patients can feign illness for a long time and carefully avoid exposure. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to distinguish a really sick person from a simulator.

Some people constantly feign the same disease, due to this they skillfully imitate all the symptoms, while studying the literature on their illness. There are patients who change the disease, because it is important for them to attract the attention of doctors.

The more terrible form of the disease is known, in this case the patient harms his relatives and children, makes them ill. At the same time the patient receives compassion. These people can catch cold or poison their children, do their best to cause illness.

Symptoms of this disease can be as follows:

  • Deterioration of health without any reason
  • Frequent hospitalization
  • Complacency in telling about health problems
  • Strong desire to undergo various operations
  • Symptoms of uncertain nature
  • Frequent request for medication
  • Frequent disputes with medical personnel
  • Intelligibility in medical

Diagnosis of the Munchhausen Syndrome Disease

Diagnosis of this disease can be too difficult. This is due to the fact that patients often too convincingly feign their illness. There are cases when they cause illness in themselves, carefully hide it. Therefore, it is very difficult to prove intentional harm to health.

A specialist who suspects Munchausen's syndrome is obliged to examine all medical records of the patient, and also to conduct a conversation with his relatives and friends, a check of the chamber is mandatory. If a person starts to blame for the simulation, then most likely it will cause him fierce indignation and anger. In this case, the patient may stop communicating with doctors and may leave the hospital. But that's not all, he can start looking for attention elsewhere. Consequently, relatives with a doctor are obliged to approach the problem very delicately.

Treatment of this disease

Munchhausen's syndrome is difficult to cure. Approved standards of therapy for this disease are not known. This is due to the fact that people like the state of the patient, and they do not want to be treated by a psychotherapist.

If to approach a problem professionally and accurately, the patient can agree to the help of the psychotherapist. Treatment usually includes counseling and family therapy. In the presence of psychiatric concomitant diseases, medications are prescribed. In severe cases, hospitalization is necessary, as the patient can harm himself or others.

Recommendations for patients with Munchhausen's syndrome

Follow carefully the treatment plan and follow all the doctor's recommendations. If you feel the desire to harm yourself or loved ones or if you want to get to the hospital, be sure to tell your therapist about your problems. The doctor may consider it necessary to prescribe medication.

It is recommended to visit only one doctor and have a trusting relationship with him, who will know about your problem and will take care of your treatment. If you have any complaints, first you should contact this doctor.

Do not forget that simulating the disease can lead to great danger. A specialist can prescribe a risky treatment that can lead to serious consequences. If you take drugs or some kind of poison to cause illness, it can lead to serious poisoning or even death.

Most people with Munchhausen syndrome often lack communication, they have few friends who can be frankly talked to. Try to establish contact with a person who can understand your problem and help in a difficult moment.

Most patients who suffer from this disease are well aware of the possible risk, which can lead to complications or even death due to their simulation. And yet they can not control their need for attention of doctors.

If you suspect that your friend or loved one is suffering from Munchausen's syndrome, try to talk to him about this problem carefully. Do not forget that in case of exposure, patients may manifest aggression and unlocking from the problem, try to avoid anger and conflict. Hint to the help of a therapist. If you suspect this problem, try to contact specialists in time, because the consequences can be very serious.