Understanding Munchausen Syndrome, Marc Feldman, MD, and Janet Cahill, PhD | Speaking of Psychology

Factitious disorder, more commonly known as Munchausen syndrome, is a mental health disorder in which people fake serious illness to gain sympathy, attention and support. A related disorder, Munchausen by proxy, or factitious disorder imposed on another, is a form of abuse in which caregivers make up or induce illness in their children. Psychiatrist Marc Feldman, MD, and psychologist Janet Cahill, PhD, discuss researchers’ evolving understanding of these disorders, how common they are, the phenomenon of “Munchausen by internet” where people lie to strangers online, and whether there are any effective therapies for these disorders. _________________________________ The American Psychological Association is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 157,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members. To learn more about APA visit http://www.apa.org Follow APA on social media: Facebook   / americanpsychologicalassociation   X/ Formerly Twitter   / apa   LinkedIn   / american-psychological-association   Instagram   / apa_org   Threads https://www.threads.net/@apa_org