kateislate Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I see there's basically nobody here with Munchausen's - at least who's talking about it. Really there's basically nobody with Munchausen's who talks about it anywhere. So I figure I'd post here. Hope you don't mind. I have it with psychological signs and symptoms. I have a desperate need for attention from mental health professionals. Never been diagnosed (caught). I have real mental health problems too unfortunately, which makes it hard to get help for what I really have. Which is depression and anxiety and probably -- if the literature about factitious disorder is accurate -- a big fat personality disorder. Well, I know I have a personality disorder since I have no friends, a spotty work history (I'm 42) and an obsession with suicide since I was a kid. I try not to lie outright - at least not since I was in my early 20s. I do exaggerate things. But I have enough shame that I've never been hospitalized for anything. Which I would love to be. I don't know what else to say, really. I know a ridiculous amount about mental illness since I spend so much time researching it. Well as far as book-learning will teach you about mental illness. Ironically I NEVER read about factitious disorder until the past few years when I finally figured out that - oh that's what I've got. I'm an attention whore and I need to get a life. I know that. I'm trying to build one but it's late in the day and I'm scared of pretty much everything. Thanks for your attention Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y58 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 hi, welcome to cb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olga Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Welcome to Crazyboards. I hope you enjoy getting to know our members. Be sure to read the rules when you have time, and contact a mod if you have any questions. olga Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vapourware Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Hai and welcome to the boards. Factitious disorder tends to be quite rare, and from what I have read, most of the people who have it lack the insight to understand their behaviours. So they tend to believe that they DO in fact have <x>, <y> and <z>. Having insight is encouraging because it will help you with your recovery. I would suggest telling your treatment team what is happening, because unless they know, they're not going to be able to help you. If I were you, I would emphasise that you are not lying to them re: the depression and anxiety, and you haven't outright lied to them about your symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Recluse Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Welcome to Crazyboards. I hope you find the support that you need. There are several members here who either have themselves or who have lived with someone who has what you describe, but you're right, it's difficult for most people to discuss, as it is a very 'meta' disorder. It's difficult to get to know someone who's personality and experiences are improvised and fluid, and it tends to breed distrust rather than understanding. You will find that we're pretty laid back about it here on the whole, though sometimes helping someone confront those issues can be tense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpladybug Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Welcome, kate. I think is awesome that you have some insight into this. Are there any formal treatment guidelines for factitious disorder? I think I know of another web site that might have an active section about this condition. I will check it out and come back with the info if it looks promising. http://www.psychforums.com/factitious-disorders/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninetynine Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Hi and welcome to CB. It is encouraging that you have found out more about your illness and that you make efforts to manage it. The advice from Vapourware to you is very good. I hope you'll stay and gain from the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breezy Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kateislate Posted December 3, 2011 Author Share Posted December 3, 2011 Thank you all so much for the welcomes. It means a lot that I'm not shunned for this. Which is what I was half-expecting. Factitious disorder tends to be quite rare, and from what I have read, most of the people who have it lack the insight to understand their behaviours. So they tend to believe that they DO in fact have <x>, <y> and <z>. Well, technically what separates a factitious disorder from a somatization disorder is that the people with factitious disorder know they're not sick or know they're lying. People with somatization disorder think they're really sick. The difference between factitious disorder and malingering is that people who malinger know WHY they're doing it - e.g. for money or for disability -- while people with factitious disorder don't really understand the dynamics. So that's where the lack of insight is. In my case it does get complicated and sometimes I think I'm really sick, and sometimes I know I'm looking for attention. But it gets really muddy. Sometimes I think I'm psychotic (I have a lot of paranoia sometimes). Sometimes I'm a real hypochondriac (e.g. thinking I have cancer and being terrified of it). Sometimes I malinger (e.g. saying I have the flu to get out of work). But in any event my life and identity revolves around sickness and getting attention. I would suggest telling your treatment team what is happening, because unless they know, they're not going to be able to help you. If I were you, I would emphasise that you are not lying to them re: the depression and anxiety, and you haven't outright lied to them about your symptoms. I was going to tell you NO it will NEVER happen that I will tell my therapist or my psychiatrist that I have factitious disorder. But I told my therapist last night. Go figure. I did more or less what you said and told her I don't lie (anymore). I think she knows the depression and anxiety are real because she's seen so much of it from me. It's not just me "telling her" I have this or that symptom. I don't know what the fallout is going to be yet. She seemed to be very accepting. And I asked if she was angry I didn't tell her, she said I wish you'd been ready to tell me earlier, but that's not where you were. I think I know of another web site that might have an active section about this condition. I will check it out and come back with the info if it looks promising. Thanks for finding that. I know that site and it's very dead and most of the people who post there are posting about family members who have Munchausen's. That's helpful for me in that I can see the effect it has on family, but it also makes it harder to be honest. though sometimes helping someone confront those issues can be tense. Maybe it's because I think everyone's like me, maybe I have a warped perspective. Projection. But I see over and over people I think are driven by attention and the need to be sick and I never say anything. It's such a shameful thing. Are there any formal treatment guidelines for factitious disorder? No, not really. It is rare, and it's rare that somebody with factitious disorder stays in treatment for it. The big controversy is do you confront somebody with munchausen's or do you offer them a face-saving "out". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted December 3, 2011 Share Posted December 3, 2011 I think it's wonderful that you told your therapist! Congratulations! And welcome to the boards. Anna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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