Smothered With Something That Looks Like Love, But Isn't: Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy
By the time Cora W. was eight years old she took six different medicines everyday. She saw eleven different doctors to monitor her condition. And she slept every night attached to a machine to monitor her breathing. But when she was admitted to the hospital, doctors could not find anything wrong with her.
Cora was healthy, but she was an unfortunate victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.
Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a serious situation. But, contrary to popular belief, it is not a mental health disorder. Munchausen syndrome by proxy is a form of physical or emotional abuse. This can prove serious or even fatal to children. While doctors often detect this condition, it is a more psychological than medical diagnosis.
Then, What Is Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy?
Munchausen syndrome by proxy is named after Munchausen syndrome . This is a mental disorder where a person complains of fake symptoms or an illness in himself or herself to gain attention in the patient role. But, with Munchausen syndrome by proxy, the perpetrator (eg, a parent or caretaker) creates false medical problems in a child. The victims are usually preschool-age children who cannot speak up for themselves. This disorder can become dangerous because the child can be seriously injured or even killed. Perpetrators (most commonly mothers) lie, exaggerate, or even cause symptoms in the victim, usually their own child.
For example, one mother gave her daughter a substance to cause asthma attacks. Other perpetrators have given medicines that cause vomiting or seizures. These people may also willingly allow a child to undergo risky surgeries to treat false conditions. If confronted by a doctor, the perpetrators deny any wrongdoing. However, the child gets better when the perpetrator is not around.
Looking For Attention
"The main thing these mothers are after," says Louisa J. Lasher, MA, an international expert on the subject, "is the attention that they get from having a child with problems." Commonly, these mothers will receive sympathy from friends and family. Sometimes church groups or community groups praise these mothers for their selfless duty to their sick child. Of course, to keep the praise coming, the lies must continue. Thus, the children suffer.
The sign of a perpetrator, says Lasher, is deception throughout the person's life. She leaves a trail of lies and inconsistencies behind her. Yet she gives seemingly plausible answers for her behavior.
Getting Treatment
Treatment usually involves removal of the child from the perpetrator. This is followed by intensive individual and family therapy. While eventually reuniting the child and family is always a goal, treatment of abusing parents may not be successful. The perpetrator may have to give up parental rights.
While Cora W. thrived in the hospital, her mother could not accept this. Cora was later sent to foster care. She returned to school, made new friends, and stayed healthy requiring only routine follow-up with a doctor.
RESOURCES:
Mental Health America
http://www.nmha.org/
National Library of Medicine
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
About Kids Health
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/
Mental Health Canada
http://www.mentalhealthcanada.com/
References:
Munchausen syndrome. Mayo Clinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/munchausen-syndrome/DS00965 . Updated May 2009. Accessed April 14, 2010.
Munchausen syndrome by proxy. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated February 2010. Accessed April 14, 2010.
Munchausen by proxy syndrome. Kids Health website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/munchausen.html . Updated March 2005. Accessed June 16, 2008.
Munchausen syndrome by proxy. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001555.htm . Updated June 2006.
Last reviewed May 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
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