Munchausen Syndrome

This is all I could find.....I'm interested in finding out more about this subject, as I feel I know someone that has this condition.....

Munchausen syndrome is a psychiatric disorder that causes an individual to self-inflict injury or illness or to fabricate symptoms of physical or mental illness, in order to receive medical care or hospitalization. In a variation of the disorder, Munchausen by proxy (MSBP), an individual, typically a mother, intentionally causes or fabricates illness in a child or other person under her care.

Description

Munchausen syndrome takes its name from Baron Karl Friederich von Munchausen, an 18th century German military man known for his tall tales. The disorder first appeared in psychiatric literature in the early 1950s when it was used to describe patients who sought hospitalization by inventing symptoms and complicated medical histories, and/or inducing illness and injury in themselves. Categorized as a factitious disorder (a disorder in which the physical or psychological symptoms are under voluntary control), Munchausen's syndrome seems to be motivated by a need to assume the role of a patient. Unlike malingering, there does not seem to be any clear secondary gain (e.g., money) in Munchausen syndrome.

Individuals with Munchausen by proxy syndrome use their child (or another dependent person) to fulfill their need to step into the patient role. The disorder most commonly victimizes children from birth to 8 years old. Parents with MSBP may only exaggerate or fabricate their child's symptoms, or they may deliberately induce symptoms through various methods, including poisoning, suffocation, starvation, or infecting the child's bloodstream.

That is pretty much it. You might could find more in a library.
If you suspect omeone has the Munchausen or Munchausen by proxy , please report it to your local DHR. They can investigate. It might save a child's life if the mother has MCP. ( and I know my boys are sick a lot, but I didn't make them sick)!!

Oh my goodness,,.... I'm not talking about YOU Renee!  LOL  Girl......you a mess.  Now everyone things I'm talking about them!  My oh my........not a chance....  I am going to look into this a bit more though.  I find it intruiging.....scary though.....

Girl,
I know you were not talking about me!! I just know my boys have been sick a lot and I actually did have someone accuse me of making them sick. But it worked out in my favor. The good news, all 3 boys are doing ok, Bird only has to take singulair for his asthma now. The allergy shots are working!! K man is pretty much over his broken heart, and is seeing a new girl..and she is a cutie.
But yeah, it is scary!!
Oh, and Corn Nuggets asked to see my new boobs, but I ain't showing them to him/her!! Only my good friends like you and Lindy get to see them!! HAHA!!

I am so glad to hear your boys are doing better.  I hope things get better for Dustin too.  And....I don't blame you for not showing your boobs to people other than your friends.  YOU KNOW who your friends are don't you? :)  I do!!!

I'm thinking more along the lines of self infliction.....

Remember the case in Florida a few years ago where Kathy Bush was sent to prison for this very thing?  Once her daughter was removed from her care she immediately improved.  Did she actually have it?  Who knows but fact was her child was no longer ill once out of her care.

I'm thinking of someone MUCH closer to home.....

Ok Elle, I've been interested in this for years..........

Munchausen is on yourself..........Munchausen by proxy is using your child.  The case Gwen mentioned is Munchausen by proxy and she used her child.  Kathy Bush was caught on security camera putting feces in her daughter's IV to induce infection. As soon as the kid was removed...she GREATLY improved.  I can't belive people do this!!!

I remember seeing a movie on this a few years back.  That was just awful.  Some people can do such crazy and SICK things.....