title: A case of factitious disorder presenting as plumbism.
abstract: The case of a young man who presented with lead poisoning is reported. This did not resolve with prolonged treatment and he had several unusual and unexplained bacteraemias. Probable sources of self-administered lead and bacteria were demonstrated and psychiatric assessment showed that the patient had a personality disorder which was consistent with a diagnosis of factitious disorder. Psychiatric management led to the termination of the self-inflicted illnesses and enabled the patient to cope with his personal and social problems.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D009110:Munchausen Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011613:Psychotherapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology