Treatment for munchausen syndrome is a very frustrating experience for most healthcare providers. This is because making a diagnosis of this condition is very difficult. The affected individuals have a mental disorder that is classified as a factitious disorder. Such individuals inflict injuries on themselves or pretend to be sick so as to get attention. The syndrome represents the most serious type of condition in the spectrum. Medical management is aimed at preventing very serious injuries.
Even as you try and look for the treatment for the condition, you need to clearly understand it. The most striking symptom is that patients make up factitious symptoms, they may rig lab results and insist on undergoing dangerous medical procedures. These are all aimed at getting sympathy or concern from other people. At times, there is some financial gain in the offing. Due to the constant manipulation by the patients, healthcare providers often end up being very frustrated.
Once the condition has been suspected the affected individual should be referred to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will help in confirming the presumptive diagnosis and making plans on the possible ways of managing the case. The method chosen for management aims at reducing the risk of getting injuries and undergoing unnecessary medical procedures. Any situations that are likely to lead to confrontation with the patient should be avoided. Management methods must be creative and flexible as well.
As a result of the difficulty that is encountered in making a diagnosis, the prognosis of both the affected individual and the healthcare provider is often poor. It can be greatly improved by making sure that the care provided is specialised and consistent. On many occasions, there is need to use medical records and to talk to close relatives and friends. Direct accusations may result into anger and defensive behaviours and should therefore be avoided.
There are several risk factors that are thought to predispose to this syndrome. Childhood trauma is one of the greatest of these risks. Trauma could either be physical such as sexual abuse or emotional. Illnesses suffered in childhood and associated with sympathy and concern may lead to increased vulnerability. Other significant risks include loss of close relatives, low self-esteem and some personality disorders.
Failure to treat the condition in a timely manner is likely to cause a number of complications. The many injuries that have been self-inflicted may cause death. Since these individuals undergo many medical procedures and take numerous medications, the risk of having reactions is massively increased. This may lead to deterioration in the general health status. Incidences of substance abuse and suicide ideation are not uncommon.
The number of persons affected by the condition is not well known. It is generally agreed, however, that they are very few. The main reason as to why these statistics are not available is because of the difficulty involved in making the diagnosis. In addition most of the affected individuals will usually visit numerous centres. Experts say that it is twice as common in males as it is in females. It is also commoner in adults than children.
Treatment for munchausen syndrome is possible if there is close coordination among different disciplines. Psychiatrists need to work very closely with psychiatrists and other counsellors. The role of strong family support cannot be overemphasized. The focus should be on identifying the underlying cause.
Even as you try and look for the treatment for the condition, you need to clearly understand it. The most striking symptom is that patients make up factitious symptoms, they may rig lab results and insist on undergoing dangerous medical procedures. These are all aimed at getting sympathy or concern from other people. At times, there is some financial gain in the offing. Due to the constant manipulation by the patients, healthcare providers often end up being very frustrated.
Once the condition has been suspected the affected individual should be referred to a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist will help in confirming the presumptive diagnosis and making plans on the possible ways of managing the case. The method chosen for management aims at reducing the risk of getting injuries and undergoing unnecessary medical procedures. Any situations that are likely to lead to confrontation with the patient should be avoided. Management methods must be creative and flexible as well.
As a result of the difficulty that is encountered in making a diagnosis, the prognosis of both the affected individual and the healthcare provider is often poor. It can be greatly improved by making sure that the care provided is specialised and consistent. On many occasions, there is need to use medical records and to talk to close relatives and friends. Direct accusations may result into anger and defensive behaviours and should therefore be avoided.
There are several risk factors that are thought to predispose to this syndrome. Childhood trauma is one of the greatest of these risks. Trauma could either be physical such as sexual abuse or emotional. Illnesses suffered in childhood and associated with sympathy and concern may lead to increased vulnerability. Other significant risks include loss of close relatives, low self-esteem and some personality disorders.
Failure to treat the condition in a timely manner is likely to cause a number of complications. The many injuries that have been self-inflicted may cause death. Since these individuals undergo many medical procedures and take numerous medications, the risk of having reactions is massively increased. This may lead to deterioration in the general health status. Incidences of substance abuse and suicide ideation are not uncommon.
The number of persons affected by the condition is not well known. It is generally agreed, however, that they are very few. The main reason as to why these statistics are not available is because of the difficulty involved in making the diagnosis. In addition most of the affected individuals will usually visit numerous centres. Experts say that it is twice as common in males as it is in females. It is also commoner in adults than children.
Treatment for munchausen syndrome is possible if there is close coordination among different disciplines. Psychiatrists need to work very closely with psychiatrists and other counsellors. The role of strong family support cannot be overemphasized. The focus should be on identifying the underlying cause.
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