MÜNCHAUSEN syndrome: what is it, symptoms, causes and treatment

Karl Friederick Hieronymus, Baron of Münchausen, gives his name to this syndrome discovered by Asher in 1951. Karl became famous for telling stories of fantastic adventures that had never happened to him. Therefore, in honor of the baron, Asher decided to baptize this disorder with the Münchausen Syndrome. With this, we can deduce that this syndrome is related to fantastic stories, although this is not entirely the case, since it rather has to do with telling stories that are not true.

If you want to find out exactly what the Munchausen syndrome, keep reading! In this Psychology-Online article, we explain what is it, its causes, symptoms and treatment, as well as the different types that are known so far.

Index

1. What is Munchausen syndrome
2. Symptoms of Munchausen syndrome
3. Types of Munchausen syndrome
4. Causes of Munchausen syndrome
5. Treatment of Munchausen syndrome

Münchausen syndrome, or factitious disorders with predominance of physical signs and symptoms, is characterized by physical symptoms, produced intentionally, in order to assume the role of sick. The symptoms are known to have been produced intentionally both by direct verification and by exclusion of other causes.

Unlike the acts of simulation, in the Münchausen syndrome there is the psychological need to assume the role of sick person with no external incentives for such behavior. Instead, an act of simulation can be considered adaptive under certain circumstances. Still, sometimes the presence of factual symptoms does not preclude the coexistence of true physical symptoms.

In addition to the Münchausen Syndrome, we also find the factitious disorder with a predominance of psychological signs and symptoms or the one combined with physical and psychological signs and symptoms.

In general, people with this disorder have the following symptoms:

• very dramatic air when they explain their story, but shows inconsistency in the details.
• tendency to lie much. In order to recognize, in this article, we show you How to detect a liar.
• Large knowledge of medical terminology and hospital routines.
• pain complaints and analgesic demands.
• When the first physical examination is inconclusive of disease, it is often start complaining about other problems physical and produce more factual symptoms.
• Undergo multiple scans and surgical interventions.
• They show a tendency to denial or they leave the hospital when confronted with evidence of their factual symptoms. They are often admitted to another hospital on the same day.
• They have a history of hospitalizations in numerous cities, states and countries.

In addition to all of the above, it must be taken into account that the symptoms mentioned increase when the individual is aware that he or she is being observed.

In Münchausen syndrome, or factic disorder, we find 3 subtypes according to the predominant symptoms. We see them below.

With predominance of psychological signs and symptoms

The essential symptoms of Münchausen syndrome with a predominance of psychological signs and symptoms are:

• Intentional production or feigning of psychological symptoms, often psychotic.
• Complaints of depression and suicidal ideation.
• Memory loss.
• Hallucinations.
• Dissociation symptoms.
• Extremely suggestible.
• It may be that they do not coincide with any of the diagnostic characteristics since they either refuse to collaborate with the interviewer or accept all the symptoms that the interviewer mentions.
• They tend to give approximate answers, not concrete ones.
• They may use stimulants to produce restlessness or insomnia, hallucinogens to produce perceptual disturbances, analgesics to produce euphoria, or hypnotics to cause lethargy.

With predominance of physical signs and symptoms

In the case of Münchausen syndrome with a predominance of physical signs and symptoms, the symptoms are as follows:

• Intentional production or feigning of physical symptoms.
• The life of the patient consists of entering or staying in hospitals.
• Intense pain in the lower right quadrant, associated with nausea and vomiting.
• Dizziness and loss of consciousness.
• hemoptysis massive.
• Generalized rashes and abscesses.
• Fever of undetermined origin.
• Bleeding secondary to ingestion of anticoagulants.
• Substance abuse.

In addition to the two subtypes mentioned, there is a third type of Münchausen syndrome that encompasses both psychological symptoms and physical signs.

Münchausen syndrome by proxy

In the case of Müncahusen syndrome by proxy, the mentioned symptoms are caused to a child. This is a high-risk form of child abuse that is difficult to diagnose and often goes unnoticed for weeks, months, or even years. This can have serious repercussions, or even death.

In short, it constitutes a peculiar form of abuse in which one of the parents, generally the mother, simulates the existence or provokes symptoms or signs in the child in order to seek medical assistance and diagnostic or therapeutic maneuvers that are costly or risk.

The factors that predispose Münchausen syndrome are the following:

• True physical disorders during childhood and/or adolescence leading to extensive medical treatment or repeated hospitalizations.
• Animosity towards the medical class and/ towards professions related to medicine.
• Presence of a severe personality disorder. To know how to distinguish it, we recommend you read this article about the types of personality disorders.
• Important relationship with a doctor in the past.

Treatment for Münchausen syndrome is difficult to determine, as there are no standard therapies for it. In the presence of people who suffer from their symptoms, it must be taken into account that they feel comfortable in the role of victim and, in fact, constantly seek to be in that position.

For all these reasons, it is difficult for them to seek treatment for themselves. Still, the following therapies are recommended:

• Have a stable primary care GP and who to contact whenever new symptoms "appear".
• Conversion therapy and behavioral therapy to reduce stress and develop the ability to cope with a difficult situation.
• Hospitalizations and admission: in serious cases, where the self-injury constitutes an alert for the patient's life, hospital control may be necessary in order to protect her life and prevent further self-inflicted damage.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Münchausen syndrome: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical psychology.

• American psychiatric association, (2002). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-4. Madrid Spain. Pan American Medical Publishing.
• CG (December 14, 2017). What is Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy or Inventing Illness Disorder?. The country. Madrid
• De la Cerda, F., Goñi, T., Gómez, I., (2006). Münchausen syndrome by proxy. Guad Med Forense, 12(43-44), 47-55.