Munchausen Syndrome is psychiatric disorder causing the sufferer to harm her/himself, or to "invent" an illness in order to garner attention. Munchausen by proxy is a variation of the disorder, when a person inflicts harm to another. Typically this is a mother who may cause her child or some other person who may be dependent on her, to exhibit symptoms - again to draw attention to herself.
Many Munchausen patients are very familiar with medical terms and will encourage their doctors to order tests or hospitalization. These patients are adept at faking symptoms. Detail oriented caregivers will notice that symptoms appear only after the patient is left alone! For example, a fever may appear after the patient has been alone; giving the patient time to falsely elevate their body temperature.
The exact cause is not completely clear. Some believe it is psychological in origin, perhaps due to child neglect and/or abuse.
Read more from the Cleveland Clinic
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2800/2821.asp?index=9833
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