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Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome is an mental illness that manifests in a parent, where they seek to gain attention through harming their child. An example would be the case of famous rapper, Marshall Mathers, who claimed that his mother would purposely make him sick so that she could get attention from doctors and other parents.

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Would a person with Munchausen by proxy simulate Asperger's Syndrome in a child?

Before pediatricians and psychiatrists were familiar with Asperger's Syndrome, some of them thought the parents who said there was something wrong with their children were exaggerating, delusional, over-protective, and, in some cases, abusive parents with Munchausen by proxy. (For mention of parents being thought to have Munchausen by proxy because their children had AS, see the links below.) I do not know of Munchausen by proxy cases where the parent or guardian attempted to make the child appear to have Asperger's Syndrome, but this does not mean it has not happened. There are other conditions that would be easier to fake by giving the child medicines or chemicals, since some of the social skills impairments (lack of eye contact, avoidance of social contact) would be harder to replicate with drugs. However, many medical professionals' unfamiliarity with Asperger's Syndrome diagnoses could make it an attractive option for Munchausen by proxy, since the professionals might not have been exposed to it previously. Asperger's Syndrome also has the advantage of not being able to be diagnosed with laboratory tests. However, using Asperger's Syndrome means the parent might need to engage in lengthy descriptions of AS before receiving the desired sympathy and attention from others. Unfortunately, I cannot give you a definitive answer on whether the condition of Asperger's has been the goal of an abusive parent via Munchausen by proxy.


What are treatments for munchausen syndrome?

Treatment for Munchausen syndrome typically involves therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, to address the underlying psychological factors driving the behavior. In some cases, medications may be used to treat any co-occurring mental health conditions. Building a trusting patient-therapist relationship is crucial in helping individuals with Munchausen syndrome to overcome their need for fabricated illnesses.


What are some symptoms of Munchausen Syndrome?

Munchausen Syndrome refers to faking or producing illness or injury in order to meet other emotional needs. In other words, this is a form of deception in order to get the desired result. Inventing medical problems like heart ailment in order to get sympathy is one of the most common signs of Munchausen Syndrome.


What is the cause of Munchausen syndrome?

Munchausen syndrome is a psychiatric disorder in which those affected fake disease, illness, or psychological trauma in order to draw attention or sympathy to themselves. It is in a class of disorders known as factitious disorders which involve "illnesses" whose symptoms are either self-induced or falsified by the patient. It is also sometimes known as hospital addiction syndrome. In Munchausen syndrome, the affected person exaggerates or creates symptoms of illnesses in themselves in order to gain investigation, treatment, attention, sympathy, and comfort from medical personnel. In some extremes, people suffering from Munchausen's Syndrome are highly knowledgeable about the practice of medicine, and are able to produce symptoms that result in multiple unnecessary operations. For example, they may inject a vein with infected material, causing widespread infection of unknown origin, and as a result cause lengthy and costly medical analyses and prolonged hospital stay. The role of "patient" is a familiar and comforting one, and it fills a psychological need in people with Munchausen's. It is distinct from hypochondria in that patients with Munchausen syndrome are aware that they are exaggerating, while sufferers of hypochondria actually believe they have a disease. In many cases, a similar behavior called Munchausen syndrome by proxy has been documented in the parent or guardian of a child. The adult ensures that his or her child will experience some medical affliction, therefore compelling the child to suffer treatment for a significant portion of their youth in hospitals. Furthermore, a disease may actually be initiated in the child by the parent or guardian. Regardless of the mental health of the adult, this is a serious form of child abuse. Munchausen syndrome by proxy is considered distinct from Munchausen syndrome, see Munchausen syndrome by proxy.


How can Munchausen syndrome by prevented?

Because the cause of Munchausen syndrome is unknown, formulating a prevention strategy is difficult. Some medical facilities and healthcare practitioners have attempted to limit hospital admissions for Munchausen patients by sharing medical records.


What class drugs treat munchausen syndrome?

Munchausen's will require some serious psychotropic drugs , combined with psychotherapy, and possibly Electroshock therapy. These patients need close observation, especially if they have Munchausen's by proxy and you have kids around.Their primary objective is attention , and if they are not a sympathetic enough figure, they will harm anyone close to them to bask in the reflected attention on the actual patient .If you suspect any child, elder person, or anyone physically disabled may be under the care of someone with Munchausen's by proxy, call DHS. A complaint generates a federally mandated investigation. It can be confidential , but don't abuse repoting for personal disagreements. That just takes resources from a department already stretched to it's limit.


Will a narcissistic mother fake illness in front of her own children?

Yes. There are several levels to narcissism and attention-seeking behavior. Some of them are very deeply rooted, such as Munchausen's Syndrome. In this psychiatric illness, people will go to extremes - sometimes simply spinning stories for doctors, family, and friends - sometimes going so far as to injure or poison themselves. Why would a mother do this in front of her own children? To gain their sympathy and to have them become part of the lie. There is also Munchausen By Proxy - which is something you need to be wary of when there are children involved. While people with Munchausen feign illness so that they can be taken care of, people with Munchausen By Proxy will make another person in their life ill so that other people look at them as a wonderful, selfless caretaker.


Munchausen syndrome medication?

Treatment is a bit complicated for this disease as there is no proper therapy which is geared towards treating the condition. Even though there is no set treatment for the disorder, management of the disorder is possible. Treatment includes behavioral counseling and psychotic therapy, and in some cases therapy is offered to the entire family of an individual that suffers from Munchausen Syndrome. The use of medication is able to make alterations to mental disorders resulting from depression and anxiety. Also in extreme conditions, psychiatric hospitalization maybe needed.


How can the munchausen syndrome be cured?

Munchausen syndrome, a form of factitious disorder, is challenging to treat because individuals often deny their condition and may not seek help voluntarily. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy, focusing on building a therapeutic alliance, addressing underlying psychological issues, and developing healthier coping mechanisms. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to treat co-occurring mental health conditions. Early intervention and consistent support from mental health professionals can help manage symptoms and improve the individual's overall well-being.


What are some famous cases of munchausen by proxy syndrome?

Marybeth Tinning in upstate New York. She had one of her kids die of natural causes... then she offed her others till she ran out. She then had some more... and offed them too. Having a shortage of kids to kill... she adopted one... and killed it. Ran a couple more out the chute and into the grave. I think her total was 8 or 9 dead children. The authorities had suspicions, but no proof, and got it too late to save any of the youngins. Needless to say, she has been denied parole to date, and her husband stands by her still... some 30 or 40 years later??? I have a MBP ex who put 2 of my 3 in the hospital. I caught it and fought her attempts to medically abuse my children... but she did an awful lot... with the courts and professionals watching... and almost got away with it. It's an illness that defies any sense of logic to the point that most people just can't get their heads around it. Most cases go undetected... fame only comes with a failure.


Do you need a caregiver when you have down syndrome?

People with high functioning down syndrome can in some cases lead completely independent lives.


What is the word for a mother that makes up a child's illnes and tries to convence the child and world that her child is ill?

Munchausen Syndrome by proxy? ANOTHER ANSWER The term you are looking for is MUNCHHAUSEN (mynch-how-zen) BY PROXY. Munchhausen refers to someone who claims illness or actually make themselves sick in order to get attention. Munchhausen by Proxy refers to someone who claims their child is ill, or more often, actually makes their child sick in order to get attention. Some women have actually gone as far as suffocating or poisoning their child, only to "save" them by seeking medical attention. They crave attention from friends, neighbors, doctors, nurses, anyone who will listen and fulfill their desire for sympathy and attention. It is a very real and very disturbing mental disorder.