Physical symptoms are commonly alleged in civil litigation. In some instances these symptoms are originally produced by psychological factors and antedate the alleged injury being claimed as a tort. These cases reflect abnormal illness-affirming behavior. Factitious physical disorders represent a special category of these individuals because they produce their signs and symptoms consciously. Th...

Our patients had typical features of factitious disease,1 2 three of them developing anorexia nervosa. They had been bleeding themselves for four to 11 years and were well adapted to severe chronic anaemia with haemoglobin concentrations rarely above 60 gll. Their physical fitness was remarkable, and, notably, they tailored their bleeding such that it did not jeopardise an active life. Although...

Definition Munchausen syndrome is referred to by several different names, including Münchhausen syndrome, fabricated illness, and hospital addiction syndrome. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) designates this condition as “factitious disorder.” The term “factitious” describes symptoms that are artificially produced rather than the result of a natural process. Findings range from fa...

Although the differential diagnosis of hemoptysis is extensive, consideration of a factitious cause is rarely contemplated. Factitious hemoptysis is uncommon in children. We report a dramatic case of factitious hemoptysis in a 12-year-old girl. The features of Munchausen's syndrome are also reviewed.

Factitious laboratory results often lead to unnecessary testing or treatment. This brief review of factitious biochemical results due to preexisting hematologic conditions focuses on the mechanisms underlying the factitious results and suggests ways to prevent them. An observant pathologist identifies these errors, intervenes in a timely fashion, investigates the sources of error diligently, an...

Chronic factitious disorder, Munchausen's syndrome, can be challenging to manage-particularly when complaints and symptoms suggest medical or surgical emergencies. We present a patient whose problems have spanned many years and a great distance. Hopefully, with a greater awareness of this disease, as this patient continues to seek health care in many different hospitals, the implications of tim...