DiagnosisDiagnosing factitious disorder is often extremely difficult. People with factitious disorder are experts at faking many different diseases and conditions. And often they do have real and even life-threatening medical conditions, even though these conditions may be self-inflicted. Show
The person's use of multiple doctors and hospitals, the use of a fake name, and privacy and confidentiality regulations may make gathering information about previous medical experiences difficult or even impossible. Diagnosis is based on objectively identifying symptoms that are made up, rather than the person's intent or motivation for doing so. A doctor may suspect factitious disorder when:
To help determine if someone has factitious disorder, doctors:
TreatmentTreatment of factitious disorder is often difficult, and there are no standard therapies. Because people with factitious disorder want to be in the sick role, they're often unwilling to seek or accept treatment for the disorder. However, if approached in a gentle, nonjudgmental way, a person with factitious disorder may agree to be treated by a mental health professional. Nonjudgmental approachDirect accusations of factitious disorder typically make the affected person angry and defensive, causing him or her to abruptly end a relationship with a doctor or hospital and seek treatment elsewhere. So the doctor may try to create an "out" that spares your loved one the humiliation of admitting to faking symptoms and offer information and help. For example, the doctor may reassure your loved one that not having an explanation for medical symptoms is stressful and suggest that the stress may be responsible for some physical complaints. Or the doctor may ask your loved one to agree that, if the next medical treatment doesn't work, they'll explore together the idea of a possible psychological cause for the illness. Either way, the doctor will try to steer your loved one toward care with a mental health professional. And both doctors and loved ones can reinforce healthy productive behaviors without giving undo attention to symptoms and impairments. Treatment optionsTreatment often focuses on managing the condition, rather than trying to cure it. Treatment generally includes:
Treatment may not be accepted or may not be helpful, especially for people with severe factitious disorder. In these cases, the goal may be to avoid further invasive or risky treatments. In cases where the factitious disorder is imposed on others, the doctor assesses for abuse and reports the abuse to the appropriate authorities, if indicated. Lifestyle and home remediesAlong with professional treatment, these tips may help people who have factitious disorder:
Preparing for your appointmentA person with factitious disorder is likely to first receive care for this condition when a doctor raises concerns that psychological problems may be a factor in the illness. If your loved one has symptoms that suggest factitious disorder, his or her doctor may contact you in advance — with the patient's permission — to talk about your loved one's health history. Here's some information to help you get ready for that talk. What you can doIf your loved one gives permission for his or her doctor to contact you or meet with you, take steps to get prepared. Make a list of:
For factitious disorder, some questions to ask the doctor include:
What to expect from the doctorThe doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:
Dec. 14, 2019 Which behavior is characteristic of panic during a crisis?People with panic disorder have frequent and unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are characterized by a sudden wave of fear or discomfort or a sense of losing control even when there is no clear danger or trigger.
Which term describes the client's use of made up words that have no meaning?Word salad began as a term used in psychiatry to describe the nonsensical syntax of the mentally ill. Originally used by German-speaking and French psychiatrists, it came to English as a loan translation, or calque (from the French word meaning “tracing”—when a phrase from one language is translated into another).
Which behavior is expected of members of Alcoholics Anonymous AA )?A.A. has all three elements in the form of a set of beliefs summarized in its Big Book, behaviors expected of members such as cessation of drinking, and belonging, such as all encouraged to have a home group (Alcoholics Anonymous n.d.).
Which defense mechanism would be exhibited when a client with alcohol use disorder States?Rationalization. In those with substance use disorder, rationalization is providing good reasons for the use of drugs or alcohol, instead of the real and true reasons. It is used to defend oneself against feelings of guilt, as well as to protect oneself against criticism and maintain self-respect.
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