Factitious disorders (imposed on another)

Factitious disorders (imposed on another) is a mental health condition where a person deliberately causes or fabricates illness in someone else, often a child or dependent, to gain attention or sympathy. This behavior affects the body systems of the victim by inducing real or apparent medical problems, which can lead to unnecessary medical tests and treatments. The condition primarily impacts the health and safety of the affected individual, sometimes causing serious harm or even death. It involves psychological manipulation and can be difficult to detect because the symptoms are intentionally produced or feigned. The disorder is distinct from accidental harm or neglect, as it involves purposeful actions to create or exaggerate illness.

Factitious disorders (imposed on another), formerly known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy, is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the intentional production or feigning of physical or psychological symptoms in another person under the perpetrator's care. The core pathology involves deliberate deception and fabrication of illness to assume the sick role by proxy, often motivated by a need for attention or control. The perpetrator typically has knowledge of medical conditions and may induce symptoms through various means such as poisoning, suffocation, or falsifying medical history. This disorder is a form of abuse and can lead to significant morbidity or mortality in the victim. Diagnosis is challenging due to the covert nature of the behavior and requires a high index of suspicion. It is important to differentiate this from malingering and other forms of abuse or neglect.