The limits of Munchausen's syndrome.
The authors review the literature on Munchausen's syndrome and speculate about possible underlying psychological mechanisms. The proposed DSM III classification of factitious illnesses suggests a continuum from hysteria on one end of the spectrum to malingering on the other. Two case studies are presented which represent variants of this syndrome. Both patients were given a sodium amytal interview, a procedure not previously reported in the Munchausen's literature. The procedure was helpful in eliciting a more accurate history and a clearer sense of the underlying dynamics. Some suggestions for further research are made.
D000328:Adult; D000654:Amobarbital; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D004532:Ego; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009110:Munchausen Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D009769:Object Attachment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D012649:Self Concept
D000654:Amobarbital