Indeed. Maybe ... just throwing it out there as an idea not because I necessarily think it ... your dad needs you to be dependent so you (addressed to newtus) don't move on and leave him? Maybe you need to be sick so you have an excuse to stay with him?

As faerie says, lots of variables and sometimes underlying motivations. I think I've mentioned before that I fear that when my son finds a gf, she'll be a 'care taker' - which could force my son to stay in the sick role in order to maintain the relationship.