Munchausen Syndrome

Question: Munchausen syndrome ? Is there any recorded case of a couple both having Munchausen syndrome ? and is there any link between Munchausen syndrome and infanticide ? So is there are recorded case of 'by proxy' applying to parent murdering their OWN child to get attention ?

Answer: with regard to your second part of the question, its by proxy you're thinking of. Beverly Allit had by proxy and thats how and why she killed babies. did you see my question about David Platt, I reckon he's on his way to that diagnosis

Question: How can you tell if someone has Munchausen Syndrome? I have a friend who is constantly complaining about irrational things, she always thinks that she's sick and the only thing she will talk about (besides the complaining) are her doctors. Is it possible that she has Munchausen Syndrome? I forgot to add that she deliberately causes harm to herself and tries to makes people think it's from some sort of physical ailment. She's always diagnosing herself with random diseases or conditions.

Answer: Munchausens isn't necessarily making someone else ill - if you make someone else ill, it's actually munchausens by proxy. I did a bit of research a while back because I'm convinced this girl displays symptoms of it - she's always in and out of hospital for something, but oddly enough seems fine the rest of the time. Plus she's a renowned liar anyway. Your friend needs help, but are you positive that she doesn't have any of things she says she does? I wouldn't say abandon her - she's obviously troubled and needs your support. It could be Munchausens, but it could be something less complex like depression or an anxiety disorder. Obviously only a doctor would be able to assess her properly.

Question: What are some famous cases of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy? I'm doing a school project on Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy and I've been looking for famous cases of the disorder. Do you know any links or good sources to find information about one?

Answer: Eminem's Mom

Question: what are after effects of munchausen syndrome FOR the victim? what are symptoms of munchausen syndrom that a child victim (as he or she matures) can identify with?

Answer: There is so little research done on munchausen syndrome and far less on victims. Here's a quote out of the British Medical Journal, the Lancet, 1951 that might help explain: "Here is described a common syndrome which most doctors have seen, but about which little has been written....the persons affected have always travelled widely; and their stories,...are both dramatic and untruthful." Originally the term Munchausen was used for all factitious disorders, now the diagnosis is reserved for the most severe form, where the simulation of disease is the central activity of the affected person's life.

Question: How do you go about proving a mother has munchausen syndrome by proxy? I know this mother who since her divorce is doping up her children to no end. She has her 5 year old taking over 12 pills day plus over 3 breathing treatments a day. Her 13 year old and 10 year old are also on about 10 pills a day for various things. The children cannot even stay awake at school. 3 year ago before her divorce the children were not on anything at all and suddenly they have all these medical conditions. Any advice?

Answer: Wikipedia has a pretty good entry. Specifically, it has a list of clues of MSbP behavior. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munchausen_… If you think the child is in immediate danger, call the local police department. They can send an officer to your house, and you can explain the situation. If the child seems to be safe for the time being, contact Children's and Family services, and make a claim. Most states allow anonymous claims, but some don't. Good luck. I hope the child can be somewhere safe soon!

Question: In a munchausen syndrome patient. What do they normally inject into their bloodstream? Also what kind of illnesses do they fake and how do they do it? Just curious

Answer: Munchausen patients tend to seek emergency medical care and demand hospitalization by relating harrowing stories that are plausible at first. Somehow, they derive some personal ''pleasure'' from lying to doctors, apparently exhibiting a pathological need for attention. Generally, their deceptions and lies become apparent only long after they consult a doctor, and then only after extensive discussion and costly tests. One reason why Munchausen patients succeed, at least for a while, is the trust that forms the basis of the patient-doctor relationship. Accordingly, most physicians will accept as fact a patient's description of fever or some other common complaint. Doctors check the thermometer (and urine, to corroborate the body temperature) only when they are suspicious. But even then, Munchausen patients are expert at subterfuge. They know how to fake elevated temperatures by rubbing the bulb of a thermometer against their skin or by touching it to a hot water bottle. Some Munchausen patients complain of back pain and prick their finger to add a few drops of blood to a urine specimen, fooling their doctors into believing in a serious kidney problem. Others go through contortions to exhibit intestinal colic. Still others inject themselves with drugs to mimic conditions produced by exotic diseases.

Question: Can a patient diagnosed as having Munchausen syndrome be sectioned under the Mental Health Act? This lady has had symptoms for more than twenty years but has only recently been diagnosed with the syndrome. Over many years family life has been difficult and her son and daughter left home at an early age. Her husband is long suffering and now worries what the future holds for both him and his wife.

Answer: If it was Munchhausen by proxy then yes, definitely. The thing about sectioning is that ultimately it comes down to wether the person concerned is considered to be a significant risk to themselves or to others. The main weakness of the Mental Health Act is that people with 'minor' (I am assuming she cant be easily recognised as a sufferer otherwise it would have been identified before?) mental health issues such as this, depression etc arent actually covered by any of the sub sections in the act - consequently treatment can be quite hard to gain!

Question: Do you think sufferers of Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome should be put in jail? Do you think sufferers of Munchausen by Proxy Syndrome should be put in jail? Or should they be treated for the illness at a hospital? Do you think they can discern right from wrong when hurting their child, or do you think its something they can't control?

Answer: If they hurt someone, then absolutely they need to pay for their crime and if it's jail time, then that's where they should go. If there's a chance they will be released from jail, then they should also be getting psychiatric help before and permanently after they leave.

Question: who can munchausen syndrome effect? age group? what are some other facts? im doing a reasearch paper on munchausen syndrome and i need to know some facts about it. like who does it effect, what id the typical age group, and stuff like that. i have looked everywhere and nothing says anything about who it effects! please help!

Answer: It can affect anyone. It's actually more common in men than women for Munchausen Syndrome, however when you are talking about Munchausen by Proxy, then it's a lot more prevalent in women, usually the mother doing it to the child. But regardless, if you are doing a research paper on it, you'll need to find this information yourself in order to cite it properly. You can't use YA as a credible source. Try these links below: http://www.mbpexpert.com/definition.html http://www.munchausen.com/

Question: What causes or triggers munchausen syndrome by proxy?

Answer: In the cases I have seen they themselves have been abused or neglected as a child and they have learned they get attention by that behavior, they are usually a very intellectually immature individual. I always wondered if this could develop in someone whose parents didn't react appropriately to their pain or injuries, and then the school nurse for example, comes along and [from their perspective] showers them with a lot of attention; to most people it would be a normal reaction to the injury, and the child might yearn for it, potentially causing their own injury. This would be a great Master's Thesis project.