Types of Disorders/ How to help

There are many different types of factitious disorders, including Munchausen syndrome,

Munchausen by proxy, and Ganser syndrome. All these can be shown in many different ways,

small or big and in a very wide range of symptoms.

Munchausen syndrome is a disorder where those affected fake disease​, illness, or

psychological trauma​ to draw attention​, sympathy, or reassurance to themselves.Munchausen

syndrome fits within the subclass of factitious disorder with predominantly physical signs and

symptoms, but patients also have a history of recurrent hospitalization, travelling, and dramatic,

extremely improbable tales of their past experiences. The condition derives its name from Baron

Munchausen.

It is the most severe factitious disorder, accounting for only about 10% of the people

with factitious disorders. These people can behave very insane, even “​visiting different

hospitals with various aliases, injecting faeces into the veins to induce sepsis, eating

rotting food to perforate the bowels.” -thegaurdian.com. The National Institute of Allergy

and Infectious Diseases reported 9% of ases of fevers of unknown origin or recurrent

infections were factitious. One study found that 3.5% of 3,300 specimens submitted as

urinary stones were artefacts such as tiny pebbles.

According to webmd.com, here are the signs of munchausen syndrome; Dramatic

but inconsistent medical history, unclear symptoms that are not controllable and that

become more severe or change once treatment has begun, predictable relapses following

improvement in the condition, extensive knowledge of hospitals and/or medical

 terminology, as well as the textbook descriptions of illnesses, presence of multiple

surgical scars, appearance of new or additional symptoms following negative test results,

presence of symptoms only when the patient is with others or being observed, willingness

or eagerness to have medical tests, operations, or other procedures, history of seeking

treatment at numerous hospitals, clinics, and doctors offices, possibly even in different

cities, and reluctance by the patient to allow doctors to meet with or talk to family,

friends, or prior doctors.

Now Munchausen by proxy is a mental health problem in which a caregiver

makes up or causes an illness or injury in a person under his or her care, such as a child,

an elderly adult, or a person who has a disability. The caregiver will do all of these

actions if they have the disorder; Lie about the person in care’s symptoms, change test

results to make a child appear to be ill, physically harm the person to produce symptoms.

Victims are most often small children. They may get painful medical tests they don't need. They

may even become seriously ill or injured or may die because of the actions of the caregiver.

Victims of MSBP can have lifelong physical and emotional problems and may have Munchausen

syndrome as adults.

According to webmd.com; Doctors aren't sure what causes it, but it may be linked to

problems during the abuser's childhood. Abusers often feel like their life is out of control. They

often have poor self-esteem and can't deal with stress or anxiety. The attention that caregivers get

from having a sick child may encourage their behavior. Caregivers may get attention not only
from doctors and nurses but also from others in their community. For example, neighbors may

try to help the family in many ways-such as by doing chores, bringing meals, or giving money.

Ganser syndrome is a type of factitious disorder, a mental illness in which a person

deliberately and consciously acts as if he or she has a physical or mental illness when he or she is

not really sick. People with Ganser syndrome mimic behavior that is typical of a mental illness,

such as schizophrenia. Ganser syndrome is sometimes called "prison psychosis" because it was

first observed in prisoners. People act this way because of an inner need to be seen as ill or

injured. People with Ganser syndrome have short-term episodes of odd behavior similar to that

shown by people with other serious mental illnesses. The person may appear confused, make

absurd statements, and report hallucinations such as the experience of sensing things that are not

there or hearing voices. Little is known about this unusual disorder, but it is believed to be a

reaction to extreme stress. Another factor that may contribute to Ganser syndrome is a desire to

avoid responsibility or an unpleasant situation. Most people also have a personality disorder.

Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by irresponsible and aggressive behavior that

often involves a disregard for others and an inability to abide by society's rules.

There are some easy ways to help these people. One thing that you shouldn't do though,

is confront these people. People with factitious disorders will deny all accusations and go into a

state of hysteria and then distance themselves from you. What you should do is contact someone

that knows how to cope with these people and that can deal with them.
 To help these people with factitious disorders you can donate to this organization at our

website, ​https://factitiousdisorders.weebly.com/how-to-help.html​ or any other organization with

the goal to help people that have factitious disorders.