I have only recently become aware of factitious disorders. (I was somewhat familiar with Munchhausen, but I didn't know that the disorder could manifest in less extreme ways.)

What let me to researching these disorders was a friendship with an individual who lies about various illnesses and conditions. At first, I thought she was just in ill-health, but then all of a sudden, the stories of health problems just because too unbelievable and arbitrary (ie, she claimed to have had major surgery and yet had bounced back and was functioning normally in weeks.) In fact, I would probably still believe these stories if I didn't also learn that she is a compulsive liar and lies constantly about more or less *everything*.

When I figured out she was lying about being sick, I was extremely hurt. I had spent months worrying about her and her health, and when I didn't hear from her for days or weeks, I would assume something had happened to her. Now I feel very manipulated.

I know she doesn't engage in "malingering" -- she doesn't benefit externally from these lies (ie, obtain money).

However, does this constitute a factitious disorder -- assuming she doesn't deliberately harm herself and then seek medical treatment? I know at least on one occasion her friends took her to the ER when she appeared ill, but I don't know if it was self-induced or not.

So, basically, if an individual lies about being sick to gain love / sympathy from friends, is this considered a factitious disorder?