Munchausen syndrome

The sufferer feigns, exaggerates, or creates symptoms of illnesses in themself in order to gain attention, sympathy, and comfort from medical personnel. The role of 'patient' is a familiar and comforting one, and it fills a psychological need in the man or woman with Munchausens.

In the form of the illness known as Munchausen by proxy[?] the 'victim' of the illness is usually the patient's child, while their parent gains attention and sympathy as their 'worried' mother or father. Munchausen by proxy is a form of child abuse.

The name derives from one Baron von Munchausen[?] (Karl Friedrich Hieronymus Freiherr von Münchhausen, 1720-1797), to whom were ascribed a series of fantastically impossible tales written by Rudolf Raspe.

External link

More Information - http://www.munchausen.com/