http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/ Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:03:27 +0000 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/ Behavioral Health Central - Articles and Resources for the Behavioral Healthcare Industry. http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20090522256/Factitious-latest/factitious-disorder-by-proxy-pediatric-condition-falsification.html?Itemid= http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20090522256/Factitious-latest/factitious-disorder-by-proxy-pediatric-condition-falsification.html?Itemid= By Shaw R.J.; Dayal S.; Hartman J.K.; DeMaso D.R.

We present a comprehensive overview of the condition factitious disorder by proxy, also known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. The review begins by highlighting essential definitions and the etiology and epidemiology of the disorder. It then analyzes relevant clinical issues such as assessment and diagnostic methods. The final section is a detailed discussion of the complex issues facing the clinician, including the process of confronting the perpetrator, relevant legal issues, and the treatment of the caretaker, child, and family through a multidisciplinary, team approach.

© 2008 President and Fellows of Harvard College.

ABSTRACT

Full Text ]]> Administrator Fri, 22 May 2009 13:13:22 +0000 http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20090522255/Factitious-latest/looking-toward-dsm-v.html?Itemid= http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20090522255/Factitious-latest/looking-toward-dsm-v.html?Itemid= Should Factitious Disorder Become a Subtype of Somatoform Disorder?

By Krahn L.E.; Bostwick J.M.; Stonnington C.M.

Background: Factitious and somatoform-disorder patients are alike in that they both organize their lives around seeking medical services in spite of having primarily a psychiatric condition. In DSM-IV, the key difference is that factitious-disorder patients feign illness, and somatoform-disorder patients actually believe they are ill. Although patients may not be conscious of their motivation or even their behaviors, deliberately embellishing history or inducing symptoms exemplifies behaviors designed to enhance a self-concept of being ill.

Conclusion: For DSM-V, we propose reclassifying factitious disorder as a subtype within the somatoform-spectrum disorders or the proposed physical-symptom disorder, premised on our belief that deliberate deceptions serve primarily to portray to treaters the sense of being ill. © 2008 The Academy of Psychosomatic...]]> Administrator Fri, 22 May 2009 13:12:40 +0000 http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20090522254/Factitious-latest/factitious-disorder-in-children-and-adolescents-a-retrospective-study.html?Itemid= http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20090522254/Factitious-latest/factitious-disorder-in-children-and-adolescents-a-retrospective-study.html?Itemid= By Ehrlich S.; Pfeiffer E.; Salbach H.; Lenz K.; Lehmkuhl U.

Background: Factitious disorder (FD) presumably manifests at an early age, but epidemiological and clinical data about pediatric FD are still lacking. Objective: The authors sought to study prevalence data of FD among referrals to a child-and-adolescent consultation-liaison service (CLS).

Method: Authors conducted a retrospective survey of FD on 1,684 patients who were referred to the CLS from 1992 to 2003 (Sample I) and 12,081 patients who were treated in a tertiary-care child health center from 2003 to 2005 (Sample II).

Results: In Sample I, FD occurred in 0.7% and, in Sample II, in 0.03% of the cases.

Conclusion: The prevalence of pediatric FD among referrals to a CLS is similar to those found in studies of adults, and patients share...]]> Administrator Fri, 22 May 2009 13:11:49 +0000 http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid= http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid=


© 2008 President and Fellows of Harvard College.]]> Administrator http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid= http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid=


© 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.]]> Administrator http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid= http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid=


Method: Authors conducted a retrospective survey of FD on 1,684 patients who were referred to the CLS from 1992 to 2003 (Sample I) and 12,081 patients who were treated in a tertiary-care child health center from 2003 to 2005 (Sample II).



Results: In Sample I, FD occurred in 0.7% and, in Sample II, in 0.03% of the cases.



Conclusion: The prevalence of pediatric FD among referrals to a CLS is similar to those found in studies of adults, and patients share many clinical characteristics.



© 2008 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine.]]> Administrator http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid= http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid=


Conclusion: For DSM-V, we propose reclassifying factitious disorder as a subtype within the somatoform-spectrum disorders or the proposed physical-symptom disorder, premised on our belief that deliberate deceptions serve primarily to portray to treaters the sense of being ill.

© 2008 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine.]]> Administrator http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid= http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid=


This article discusses 2 cases in which plastic surgeons were sued for malpractice by factitious disorder patients. We outline clues to the recognition of factitious disorders and steps the plastic surgeon can take to initiate appropriate treatment, which may reduce the risk of litigation.


Administrator http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid= http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid=


Case presentation: We share our experience of treating a 33-year-old man, who presented with factitious lymphoedema, initially diagnosed as reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Conclusion: Awareness of this very similar differential diagnosis allows early appropriate treatment to be administered.



© 2008 Nwaejike et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.]]> Administrator http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid= http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/?Itemid=


Methods: Systematic review of all evidence reporting the management and subsequent outcome in FD. Data were extracted and outcomes were assessed using an adaptation of the Global Improvement Scale. Results were analysed by parametric statistical tests; a meta-analysis was not possible.



Results: Thirty-two case reports and 13 case series were eligible for inclusion. Analysis of the case reports found no significant difference in outcomes between confrontational and non-confrontational approaches [t(29) = 0.72, p = 0.48], between treatment with psychotherapy compared to no psychotherapy [t(30) = 0.69, p = 0.48], and when psychiatric medication had been prescribed compared with not [t(30) = 0.35, p = 0.73]. A trend was...]]> Administrator