Which term best describes Munchausen syndrome?

• A. Factitious disorder
• B. Malingering
• C. Somatic symptom disorder
• D. Illness anxiety disorder

Answer: (A)

Intentional fabrication or induction of symptoms to assume the patient role is the hallmark. This is factitious disorder. Munchausen syndrome is the classic, severe form of factitious disorder, where the person deliberately creates or exaggerates symptoms, often seeking medical attention or hospital stays without external rewards. This differs from malingering, which involves external gains (like money or avoiding work). It also differs from somatic symptom disorder, where symptoms are real or believed to be real and not deliberately produced, and from illness anxiety disorder, which is a preoccupation with illness without significant symptoms.