Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
Marble Burying and Nestlet Shredding as Tests of Repetitive, Compulsive-like Behaviors in Mice
Published on: December 24, 2013
Factitious disorders
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, USA.
Abstract:
Reports of factitious disorders, Munchausen's syndrome, and self-induced illness exist throughout medical history. In practice, disease simulation represents a spectrum of behaviors that range from relatively common and benign (e.g., pleading illness to avoid an unwanted social obligation) to rare and malignant forms (e.g., Munchausen's syndrome and factitious disorder by proxy). Factitious disorders are differentiated from malingering by the goal that motivates the individual's behavior. The only apparent goal in factitious illness is to gain the sick role; the goal in malingering is to gain rewards, such as compensation, or to avoid the unwanted, such as military service or jail. This article summarizes clinically relevant information on factitious disorders for primary care physicians.
Insights
Factitious disorders involve intentionally producing or feigning illness to assume the sick role. Differentiating these from malingering, which seeks external rewards or avoids obligations, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and patient care.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Factitious disorders and self-induced illness have historical precedents.
- Disease simulation exists on a spectrum from benign to severe forms like Munchausen's syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize clinically relevant information on factitious disorders.
- To aid primary care physicians in recognizing and managing these conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical and clinical literature on factitious disorders.
- Comparison of factitious disorders with malingering based on motivational goals.
Main Results:
- Factitious disorders are characterized by the sole aim of assuming the "sick role."
- Malingering is distinguished by the pursuit of external gains or avoidance of obligations.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the motivation behind disease simulation is key to differentiating factitious disorders from malingering.
- Primary care physicians require accessible information on factitious disorders for effective patient management.
Related Concept Videos
01:18False Memories
One primary source of false memories is misattribution, where individuals incorrectly associate external information with...
01:19Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
01:27Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Fugue
A hallmark feature of dissociative disorders is the dissociative fugue...
01:30Dissociative Identity Disorder
01:21Dissociative Amnesia
01:30Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes loosely...