Posted by notfred on November 24, 2006, at 16:32:46
In reply to Munchausen by Internet, posted by notfred on November 24, 2006, at 0:47:43
I would not get caught up in the word Munchausen or Munchausen by Internet. Dr Feldman coined the term but I would not call it an official Dx.
It is probably better called "factitious disorder", a well used term. The internet does make it easier to pull off. It is not uncommon on internet sites.
For decades, physicians have known about so-called factitious disorder, better known in its severe form as Munchausen syndrome (Feldman & Ford, 1995). Here, people willfully fake or produce illness to command attention, obtain lenience, act out anger, or control others. Though feeling well, they may bound into hospitals, crying out or clutching their chests with dramatic flair. Once admitted, they send the staff on one medical goose chase after another. If suspicions are raised or the ruse is uncovered, they quickly move on to a new hospital, town, state, or in the worst cases — country. Like traveling performers, they simply play their role again. I coined the terms "virtual factitious disorder" (Feldman, Bibby, & Crites, 1998) and "Munchausen by Internet" (Feldman, 2000) to refer to people who simplify this "real-life" process by carrying out their deceptions online. Instead of seeking care at numerous hospitals, they gain new audiences merely by clicking from one support group to another. Under the guise of illness, they can also join multiple groups simultaneously. Using different names and accounts, they can even sign on to one group as a stricken patient, his frantic mother, and his distraught son all to make the ruse utterly convincing.
poster:notfred
thread:706607
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061123/msgs/706775.html