Pseudoadolescent Munchausen syndrome.
Munchausen syndrome has not been reported in adolescents. We report two cases in young adults who, because they feigned adolescence, were first seen by pediatricians and then treated on a locked adolescent psychiatric ward. Their presentations resembled Munchausen syndrome, but included prominent factitious psychological symptoms as well as factitious physical symptoms. These cases are discussed in relation to the syndrome's classification, natural history, and associated character pathology.
Shaner
A
A
Department of Psychiatry, VA Medical Center-West Los Angeles, CA 90073.
Eth
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D008192:Deception; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009110:Munchausen Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D012803:Sick Role; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology