PATH - Factitious Disorders

Question 1

Malingering

Answer 1

Patient *consciously fakes, profoundly exaggerates, or claims to have a disorder in order to attain a specific *2° (external) gain (eg, avoiding work, obtaining compensation)

Poor compliance with
treatment or follow-up of diagnostic tests.

Complaints cease after gain (vs factitious disorder).

Question 2

Munchausen syndrome

Answer 2

Factitious disorder imposed on self

Chronic factitious disorder with predominantly physical signs and symptoms.

Characterized by a history of multiple hospital admissions and willingness to undergo invasive procedures.

Question 3

Munchausen syndrome by proxy

Answer 3

Factitious disorder imposed on another

Illness in a child or elderly patient is caused or fabricated by the caregiver

Motivation is to assume
a sick role by proxy

Form of child/elder abuse.

Question 4

Somatic symptom disorder

Answer 4

Variety of bodily complaints (eg, pain, fatigue) lasting for months to years

Associated with excessive, persistent thoughts and anxiety about symptoms.

May co-occur with medical illness

Question 5

Conversion disorder

Answer 5

functional neurologic symptom disorder

Loss of sensory or motor function (eg, paralysis, blindness, mutism), often following an acute stressor

patient is aware of but sometimes indifferent toward symptoms (“la belle indifférence”)

more common in females, adolescents, and young adults

Question 6

Illness anxiety disorder

hypochondriasis

Answer 6

Excessive preoccupation with acquiring or having a serious illness, often despite medical
evaluation and reassurance; minimal somatic symptoms.

Question 7

Pseudocyesis

Answer 7

False, nondelusional belief of being pregnant

May have signs and symptoms of pregnancy but is not pregnant.