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[A case of Munchausen syndrome]
Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
|July 1, 1990
Summary
This case study details Munchausen syndrome in a 35-year-old female who feigned diabetes and other conditions, leading to multiple surgeries. The paper also explores Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Medical Psychology
Background:
- Munchausen syndrome is a mental disorder where individuals feign illness.
- Factitious disorder imposed on self involves repeated falsification of symptoms.
Observation:
- A 35-year-old female patient presented with a history of 17 hospitalizations and six laparotomies for suspected peritonitis.
- The patient also simulated insulin-dependent diabetes, fever, and hematuria.
- Access to medical literature likely influenced the patient's ability to feign complex conditions.
Findings:
- The case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by Munchausen syndrome.
- The patient's extensive medical history and simulated symptoms underscore the severity of the disorder.
Implications:
- Understanding Munchausen syndrome is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management.
- Discussion of Munchausen syndrome by proxy broadens the scope to include harm to others.
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