What Causes Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen’s Syndrome)?

All of the various Somatic Disorders can cause confusion for health professionals. These conditions involve emotional pain being expressed as physical symptoms – breaking from the usual symptoms of mental-based symptoms.

One such disorder is called Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self – which is also known as Munchausen’s Syndrome. This condition involves a person actively feigning a physical or mental illness.

This condition has perplexed scientists, researchers and health professionals for a long time. In this article, we take a look at some of the speculated causes of the condition.

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self should not be confused with Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another – which is where a person fabricates or induces an illness in someone under their care – often their child. You can read more about this condition here.

What is Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen’s Syndrome)

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen’s Syndrome): Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self is a mental health condition which involves a person acting like they have a physical or mental illness. The person actively feigns their symptoms and will often hurt themselves to cause the symptoms.

Background

Someone with this condition will feign the symptoms of their illness, typically have a strong knowledge of the condition, and will typically be attention-seeking or crave sympathy.

Some will go to extreme lengths to keep up the charade, such as tampering with test results or travelling from one hospital to the next.

So what could cause someone to act like this? The truth is that the true causes of the condition aren’t known. But it is believed that a range of factors may be involved in its onset.

Potential causes of Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self

While the exact causes of this condition are unknown, it appears that a range of factors may be involved.

Childhood abuse or trauma appears to be an important factor [1]. For example, those that grew up in an abusive or traumatic environment may have become accustomed to being a ‘patient’ – they may have grown to enjoy this role. Therefore, they may wish to continue this during adulthood.

In terms of demographics, research suggests that those with this condition are likelier to be female than male. Moreover, they are typically middle-aged and work in the healthcare industry [2].

It seems that certain personality traits are associated with Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self. Those that are manipulative, have a strong fear of abandonment, or have a resentment against healthcare professionals, are likelier to develop this condition.

Further to the above, a person that tried, but failed to become a healthcare professional, may believe that imposing illnesses upon themselves may offer the closest thing to their aim of working in the healthcare industry.

It has also been proposed that loneliness may play a role. Someone who is lonely may crave company. If they are so desperate, they may aim to attain the position of a patient, so that they are able to grow a medical-based network.

Other research suggests that Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self is linked to Personality Disorders. Specifically, the condition is associated with Borderline Personality Disorder [3].

It is important to note that while these actions are performed consciously by the person, they are often unaware of the motivations driving their behaviour.

Summary

Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self is certainly a complex condition. Its causes remain subject to debate.

Fortunately, treatment is available, with talking therapy and medication often used to treat the condition.

See Also

• Somatic Disorders Section
• Factitious Disorder Imposed on Another (Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy): Information, Symptoms, Treatment and More
• Factitious Disorder Imposed on Self (Munchausen’s Syndrome): Information, Symptoms, Treatment and More
• Gypsy Rose and Dee Dee Blanchard: A Match Made in Hell
• Rumination in Mental Health: What Is It and Why Do We Do It?