Munchhausen By Proxy
Uploaded by cwegrzynowski on Jun 24, 2013
The Mental Disorder Munchausen by Proxy
Candace Wegrzynowski
Owens Community College
Abstract
Presented is an overview of the condition factitious disorder by proxy, also known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MBP). The paper begins by highlighting the definitions of the disorder and the etiology. It then analyzes relevant symptoms of the perpetrator and the reasons they abuse the child. Some methods of abuse are highlighted and the social psychiatric illness common in the perpetrator. A discussion of the complex issues facing the medical professionals when faced with confronting the perpetrator and the decision to take the child away from the parent is also included. The prognosis for the perpetrator does not look very good and further research into treatment for family’s needs to be done. The popular solution employed now is to remove the child. Family reunification is not common because the recidivism is very high as in most child abuse cases.
Munchausen by proxy is a term used to describe a behavior pattern where a caregiver, usually a parent, deliberately fabricates and perpetrates an illness upon a child. Experts explain that Munchausen was first used in the 1950s to describe a psychological disorder where patients fake or bring about illness in order to play the role of a sick patient. In 1977 MBP was first used to describe a severe form of child abuse where children are treated unnecessarily for medical conditions that are faked by their caregivers.(Shaw 2008)
It may be hard to imagine a parent injuring their child or deliberately doing things to cause an illness but these perpetrators are very real. Experts do not know all the reasons these parents develop MBP. They do not have a formal mental illness but they usually do have a personality disorder and may have spent some time during their life in an institution. Experts also feel they may act superior to professionals and even have a medical background. They enjoy being the center of attention and like making illness the center of their life. They are difficult to evaluate psychologically as they often do not stay in therapy. (Hallstrom) These parents with MBP do not seek treatment on their own and it is very difficult to get them to be honest about their problems.
Experts tell us that patients with MBP display pathological lying and...