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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough researchers don't know the cause of Munchausen syndrome, several factors may put someone at higher risk of developing the condition, including:
- Childhood trauma, such as emotional, physical or sexual abuse
- A serious illness during childhood that allowed them to be cared for and nurtured
- A relative with a serious illness
- A poor sense of identity or self-esteem
- Loss of a loved one through death, illness or abandonment early in life
- Unfulfilled desire to be a doctor or other health professional
- Work in the health care field
- Personality disorders
- Poor coping skills
Munchausen syndrome is considered rare, but it's not known how many people have the disorder. Some people use fake names to avoid detection, some visit many different hospitals and doctors, and some are never found out — all of which make it difficult to make a reliable estimate.
More males are diagnosed with Munchausen, and it seems to be more common among young or middle-aged adults.
- 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.
