Munchausen's syndrome: case report

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Factitious disorder is a mental disorder characterized by the intentional production or feigning of physical or psychological signs or symptoms.

Observation:

• A 31-year-old male butcher presented with recurrent episodes of self-induced haematemesis.
• The patient exhibited dramatic behavior and frequent hospital admissions.

Findings:

• The patient intentionally induced vomiting to simulate haematemesis.
• The presentation was consistent with factitious disorder, specifically Munchausen syndrome.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of recognizing factitious disorders in patients with recurrent unexplained medical symptoms.
• Healthcare providers should consider psychological evaluation for patients with a history of frequent, dramatic hospitalizations and self-harm behaviors.