Munchausen's syndrome or chronic factitious illness: a review and case presentation

Abstract

The psychosomatic disorder termed Munchausen's syndrome has gained official recognition in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, in which it is referred to as a "chronic factitious disorder with physical symptoms." Sporadic case reports have been published over the years. Few patients with this disorder allow themselves to be psychologically evaluated or seek treatment for the disorder itself. We report here an unusual case in which a young woman sought help for her hospital-peregrinating behavior.