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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffPeople with Munchausen syndrome have such deep emotional needs that they're willing to risk their lives to be seen as sick. They frequently have other mental disorders, as well. As a result, they face many possible complications, including:
- Injury or death from self-inflicted medical conditions
- Severe health problems from surgery or other procedures
- Loss of organs or limbs from unnecessary surgery
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Increased risk of suicide
- Financial problems
- Significant problems in daily life, relationships and work
References
- Factitious disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Eisendrath, SJ. Factitious disorder (including Munchausen's syndrome). In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128035876-3/821157946/1701/215.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50009-4--subchapter1_4547. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Hamilton JC, et al. Factitious disorders and malingering. In: Gabbard GO. Gabbard's Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. American Psychiatric Association; 2007. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Purcell TB. Factitious disorders and malingering. In: Marx JA, et al., eds. Marx: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/128035876-4/821158282/1365/348.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50117-7--cesec4_5748. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Factitious disorder and malingering. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed March 24, 2009.
- Lipsitt DR. Factitious disorder and Munchausen syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 24, 2008.
- Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 26, 2009.
