Causes, Risk Factors, Diagnosis & Treatment of Munchausen Syndrome
Munchausen syndrome has no known cause. However, a grave illness or physical or emotional abuse, have been implicated as causative factors.
Munchausen syndrome is devoid of a known cause. However, it is likely that these individuals were traumatized by a grave illness while young or were subject to physical or emotional abuse.
Risk factors of Munchausen syndrome include-
- Childhood trauma including emotional, physical or sexual abuse
- A serious illness during childhood that demanded care and nurture
- A seriously-ill relative
- Poor self-esteem
- Loss of a loved one early in life
- Unfulfilled desire to be a health professional
- Personality disorders
Munchausen syndrome individuals have deep unmet emotional needs to satisfy which they are quite willing to risk their lives.
Diagnosis of Munchausen syndrome
Munchausen syndrome diagnosis is difficult but vital, as the condition could be life-threatening.
Munchausen syndrome diagnosis is a difficult task as those with the disease are good at faking situations and symptoms. However, they do suffer from life-threatening conditions, even if those conditions are self-inflicted.
A doctor who suspects a Munchausen syndrome in an individual may have to resort to indirect means such as talking to the family, checking medical records or searching the hospital room of the patient for clues.
The doctor must take great care not to humiliate the patient by directly accusing him of faking symptoms, as this would result in the patient severing all ties with the doctor and seeking help elsewhere. The doctor must tactfully steer the patient towards seeking help from a psychologist.
Mental health providers usually conduct a detailed interview with the patient and carry out a series of tests to analyze his psychological and physical condition.
To be diagnosed with factitious disorder such as Munchausen syndrome, a person must meet the three criteria recommended by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association.
- Person intentionally fakes / produces symptoms
- Person is eager to be seen as sick
- The motivation to be seen as sick is not for financial or legal reasons
Treatment of Munchausen syndrome
Munchausen syndrome is a mysterious condition; therefore, its treatment is difficult.
Treatment of Munchausen syndrome is difficult, as it is rightfully labeled as a mysterious condition. There are no standard cures or therapies for the disease. The biggest stumbling block is the patient’s reluctance to seek treatment, and often needs to be cajoled or ‘tricked’ into seeking help from a mental health provider.
Treatment mostly comprises of
Very often, patients face complications from the illness such as severe health problems, loss of organs from unnecessary surgery, alcohol or substance abuse, financial difficulties, problems in daily life, injuries and even death.
It is important for the patients to do the following-
- Continue with your treatment plan. Talk to your doctor honestly and reveal any intention you might feel about harming yourself
- Have one trusted person to manage your medical care
- Always remember the risks
- Resist the urge to change doctors
- Connect with people. Seek new friendships.
