I Think My Sister Has Munchausens Syndrome

I know I have been writing on this site a lot about my sister and the troubles we have had living together.

When I moved here, I was told she had seizures. Once here I found they were non-epileptic (no electrical energy going haywire in her brain). And of course she has already had migranes before that. She also has been into the plastic surgery.

So over the past several months I have been observing her and when she would get sick and low and behold I started to see a pattern. This is when I began to suspect she had munchausen's. She's even on disability now.

When my sister gets sick, I use to be right there by her side or calling 911 or getting the whole family involved. Now I am learning to leave things be. It works and it makes sense. And you know, if I don't cater to her, she doesn't get "sick" as much...

Anyone else here on this site have a family member with munchausen's syndrome? If there is, I'd appreciate a shout out as other than ignoring her being sick, I'd like to connect with someone who has had some experience with this.

Having bipolar and dealing with her can be really trying at times.

(((((((((((((((NF)))))))))))))))

I'm sorry I can't give you any advice on this area, but wanted to let you know I am listening.

My son is working his disability in a similar way. I don't think that it is the same as what you are going through with your sister but there does seem to be some overlap/similarity.
Anyway... here to listen if you need to talk/vent whatever...

NF, long time no see. sorry you are dealing with this concern re your sister. check out this site. it may help http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mun...ndrome/DS00965. we're here for you.

(((((((NF))))))
I have never known anybody with Munchausens, but I imagine it must be very frustrating and difficult to have to deal with your sister.

Working in a hospital, I come across people with Munchausen's every once in a while. I remember one patient in particular, every time someone would look in her direction, she would suddenly start having a coughing fit or be in a lot of pain. It is a bit sad to see that people feel as though they have to resort to this to get some sort of care or attention. I'm not there to judge your sisters case, but I would try to keep a close eye on her, but not encourage the situation if she does in fact have Munchausen's. There have been plenty of times I've felt like I've had Munchausen's, simply because I knew and still know there is something wrong with me medically, but even though the symptoms are there, the test don't reveal enough to diagnose me with anything. Sometimes it is all in our head and other times it is really difficult to find someone that will believe you if your tests are panning out okay.

here munchausen's is when someone gains attention by projecting illnesses on their children, friends and family.. example a mother with this will constantly take her children to the doctors and hospitals claiming the children are sick. some even go so far as to make the child sick in all kinds of ways so that the child may need surgeries to correct the damage caused by the parent under the disguise of illnesses.

here when a person believes they are sick and does things that will make them selves sick is called being a hypochondriac.

question do you mean she is a hypochondriac (which is someone who has a need to be sick) or do you mean she has a need for others to be sick in order for her to gain attention which is munchausen's syndrome.

I must caution you that self diagnosing relatives can end up in disasters. there may be other factors that you are not privy to and cannot see during your observations because you are not her treatment providers.

Also .. there is such a thing as having non epileptic seizures. its called psychogenic seizures and its caused by all kinds of real mental and physical health problems like dehydration, poor diet, stress, high blood pressure, high sugar, low sugar levels, medications can also cause this to happen. Alcohol, drugs, smoking... theres all kinds of things both physiological and mental that can be causing your sister to have them. for some people its a hereditary factor like high blood pressure accompanied by non epileptic seizures is passed down in some families that I know.

pschogenic seizures are a very real medical problem just like epilepsy is. here is some information about non epileptic seizures -

http://www.drugs.com/cg/non-epileptic-seizures.html

Actually, Munchausen's is when you exaggerate or cause an illness on yourself for attention.

Munchausen's "by proxy" is when you project or cause the illness onto another for attention.

yes it is the by proxy version I was thinking of. thanks.

Maybe she doesn't tell you she is sik as often when you don't pay attention because she doesn't want to bother you?

not much to say about this but wanted to say it's good to see you and wishing luck to come your way (((((NF)))))