Munchausen's syndrome: an unusual case

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Neurology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• This case involves a patient with Munchausen syndrome, a mental health condition characterized by feigning illness.
• Unlike typical presentations, the patient acknowledged both psychiatric and medical-surgical aspects of her condition, facilitating therapeutic engagement.

Observation:

• The patient admitted to using eye drops to induce pupillary dilation.
• This self-induced mydriasis was used to simulate a neurological disorder.

Findings:

• The patient's use of eye drops resulted in an accidental anticholinergic delirium.
• This highlights a complex interplay between factitious disorder and iatrogenic complications.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering self-induced symptoms and iatrogenic effects in diagnosing factitious disorders.
• Therapeutic alliance is crucial for uncovering deceptive practices and managing complex psychiatric conditions.