The DSM IV states that Factitious Disorder is the "intentional production of physical or psychological signs or symptoms. The motivation for the behavior is to assume the sick role." This disorder is probably better known as Munchausen Syndrome. The variant in which a parent, usually the mother, intentionally produces symptoms in their children is known as Factitious Disorder by Proxy. This is a controversial diagnosis. Some believe it is completely made up to cover for the incompetence of doctors and therapists. They say it's a way to "blame the victim". There is even a group Mothers Against Munchausen, that promotes this idea. Some in this group are parents who have had their children removed by Child Protective Services for abuse. Others, myself included, believe the disorder is very real. Medical students are taught about it, as are graduate students in psychology. Hospitals have videotapes of parents harming their children when they think no one is around. Some may remember the heartbreaking scene in The Sixth Sense, which illustrated the concept. There used to be something called Brittle Bone Syndrome, which doctors faced when a child had a bone broken with "insufficient force". This later was discovered to be child abuse, and is no longer used as a diagnosis. Some are beginning to believe that SIDS is very rare, and that some children with "SIDS" were actually murdered. The original case that "discovered" SIDS turned out to be Factitious Disorder by Proxy, verified by the exhumation and examination of the 5 children in that family who died. Treatment of someone with one of the Factitious Disorders would center around how they express and meet their needs. Learning to label and verbalize emotional states, and accepting responsibility for self-care would be crucial pieces, although by no means exhaustive. Sorry that was so long-winded. I hope that helps.
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