Factitious triplegia: case report

A 37-year-old woman was admitted for rehabilitation of triplegia with diagnoses of conversion disorder and possible multiple sclerosis. Attempts to manage the patient with techniques often effective with conversion disorders were unsuccessful, and the patient was discharged to a nursing home. After the development of further symptoms and a second extensive medical work-up, the factitious nature of her symptoms became evident. Awareness of the characteristics of factitious disorders, early background investigation, and psychiatric consultation can facilitate the appropriate management and referral of these patients, and spare rehabilitation providers the frustrations and possible medicolegal complications of patients with this disorder.