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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment of Munchausen syndrome is often difficult, and there are no standard therapies for the condition. Because people with Munchausen want to be in the sick role, they're often unwilling to seek treatment. However, if approached in a gentle, face-saving way, a person with Munchausen syndrome may agree to be treated by a mental health provider.
Although there are no standard treatments for Munchausen syndrome, treatment often focuses on managing the condition, rather than trying to cure it. Treatment generally includes psychotherapy and behavior counseling. If possible, family therapy also may be suggested.
Medications may be used to treat other mental disorders that are also present, such as depression or anxiety. In severe cases, temporary psychiatric hospitalization may be necessary.
- 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.
