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Feigned psychosis - a case of factitious disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Peter Buckley
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
Aisling Campbell
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Abstract

A number of psychiatric syndromes are characterised by the conscious or unconscious production of factitious symptoms. These include Munchausen Syndrome, the Ganser Syndrome and malingering. Here we describe a patient who rapidly changed her symptomatology according to material from her environment. Her presentation does not meet criteria for any of the above syndromes, but is best described as a factitious disorder (DSM-III-R). This case provides a framework for discussion of the validity of this concept.

Type
Clinical and Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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