[mojave_rose8]

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?

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by mojave_rose8

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?

for some people what you posted can be part of having any number of mental disorders.

for some people what you posted may not be part of having mental disorders.

I dont know where you are but here in america many people who have surgery do recover very quickly because here in america a great many types of surgery are done in ways that do very little damage.. example I had heart surgery, I was released from the hospital two days later and back to work a week later. I know people who have had appendix removed and they were only in the hospital one day and back to school / work with in 4 days. I know someone who had brain surgery and they had surgery and back to work with in 3 days.

I know someone who had the flu and was back to work the next day. I know someone who has cancer, out ward appearance she looks fine but her time here on earth is drawing near, shes not wasting her time on missing work and being bed ridden or hospitalization.

my point is please be careful. granted there is such a thing as people that do fake illnesses but there are also people who do have illnesses and their "excuses" and ways that their illness shows or doesnt show their self in ways that are what we think they should be. it is very easy to mis judge others health issues when we are not privy to their doctor appointments.

my suggestion maybe theres a way that you can be this persons friend and leave the trying to figure them out to that persons own treatment providers.if they do not have a sickness maybe your friendship with give this person something to focus on instead of being sick and if this person does have these illnesses they will always remember your kindness and caring way of not questioning their illness like others may do.

[Open Eyes]

I think this friend has some kind of disorder that leads her to do this. She is obviously desperate for attention. She needs help with this to find out why she is doing this.

Open Eyes

[KUREHA]

I have a friend kind of like that - I don't know if it's for sympathy or something, but it's usually past stuff.

I think maybe that is what they are doing - I think Munchausens has to be way more extreme.

[mojave_rose8]

Well, yes, I realize it's not Munchhausen syndrome, but that is the most extreme factitious disorder. People can have a FD and not have Munchhausen.

And yes, I know it's sad and that she does it for attention.

But my question is, Can someone have a factitious disorder without deliberately making themselves ill or injuring themselves?

[mojave_rose8]

Also -- I really dislike not trusting people, and I pretty much always trust them until they give me *concrete* reason not to.

Her massive lies are easy to spot because there is no consistency whatsoever to a lot of what she says -- plus, a quick Google search reveals a lot.

Actually, I believed all her illness stories despite her other lies until one day when we had lunch together; as we were parting, she said, "Oh, by the way, I have ALS." "Oh, I didn't know that. I am sorry. For how long?" "About two months."

Um, right.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by mojave_rose8

Well, yes, I realize it's not Munchhausen syndrome, but that is the most extreme factitious disorder. People can have a FD and not have Munchhausen.

And yes, I know it's sad and that she does it for attention.

But my question is, Can someone have a factitious disorder without deliberately making themselves ill or injuring themselves?

if you are here in New york which is in the USA the answer is no. here where I live and work it is believed that factitious disorders are the person is deliberately causing their self to become sick or injured.

here is some information on this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factitious_disorder
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disord...disorders.aspx
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/291304-overview
http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/factitious-disorders

if you type in the wrods "factitios disorders" you will find thousands and thousands of websites that talk about this.