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Factitious disorders and the 'professional patient'
1US Military Forensic Psychiatry Program, Washington, DC, USA.
The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association
|August 1, 1996
Summary
Factitious disorders involve fabricated illnesses, blurring the line between malingering and genuine diseases. Early clinical detection of these rare conditions is crucial to prevent unnecessary medical interventions and long-term patient suffering.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Medical Psychology
Background:
- Factitious disorders represent fabricated illnesses, existing conceptually between malingering and genuine medical conditions.
- Understanding these disorders is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment in clinical practice.
Observation:
- The article profiles patient characteristics and symptoms associated with factitious disorders.
- It specifically addresses factitious disorder by proxy, highlighting the potential for uncovering child abuse in such cases.
- These disorders, though rare, are encountered in primary care settings.
Findings:
- Clinical awareness and detection based on patient profiles are key to identifying factitious disorders.
- Early recognition and management can prevent a chronic course leading to patients becoming "professional patients."
Implications:
- Enhanced clinical awareness can prevent unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, saving resources and patient distress.
- Identifying factitious disorder by proxy may lead to the crucial discovery and intervention for child abuse.
- Primary care physicians should be vigilant for subtle signs of factitious disorders in their practice.